Chapter 5

The Results

The water was getting really hot now. Ari summoned the rest of her strength and created a dozen water clones. They all attacked Kakashi without a second hesitation. It created enough distraction to disrupt the jutsu. The fire went out, and the water splashed down at her feet, releasing her. Kakashi struggled with the water clones. Ari released them as well, their bodies waking a pop noise and splashing at Kakashi's feet.

She looked at Kakashi, who was out of breath and beginning to tire. Ari sighed. "You don't make this very exciting, Kakashi…" she crossed her arms.

Kakashi looked at her like she was crazy. "I just pulled off a very dangerous jutsu on you, and you're not even fazed."

Ari rolled her eyes. "I've been through worse."

Kakashi sighed and shoved his hands in his pockets. "Alright… I forfeit."

Ari's body jerked with surprise. "Come again?"

Kakashi smirked from underneath his mask. "I'm not crazy or stupid enough to die today in this brawl. So, I'm being smart, and quitting." he held his hands up as a sign of truce.

Ari stared at him for a moment, absorbing what he said, and a smile slowly spread across her face. "Then you know what that means, yes?"

Kakashi nodded. "I will take on your apprentice, Ari Suon. I give you my word to teach her every fire technique I know." he held out his hand to seal the offer. "A deal is a deal."

Ari came forward to him, looking him in his eyes, both of them this time, and shook his hand with a grin. "Of course it is."

~*~

Ari told Masuu to take the day off. Ari decided to walk around town for a while with Kakashi. People eyed them as they walked together. It was odd. A few old women asked them if they were a couple. Ari would just smile at them while Kakashi said he was Ari's escort, which wasn't a lie really.

Ari actually didn't know the answer to that question really. She knew she felt strongly for Kakashi. Very strongly. B`ut neither of them had said the three words. She wasn't sure if they could call it love.

They walked down the street together in the market place of Konoha. Kakashi's hands were stuffed in his pockets as he looked ahead while he walked. Ari was had her hands folded together as she watched the people walk around the village streets. She looked at Kakashi from the corner of her eye. He stared straight ahead as they walked. He had some sort of smug look on his face, but Ari ignored it.

"Kakashi, my worthy opponent." called a loud and enthusiastic voice of a man. Kakashi stopped and Ari did too as he looked behind himself at a tall man that had an eerie resemblance to Rock Lee, only he was older.

Kakashi sighed irritably to himself. "Gai…" he acknowledged him unwillingly.

Ari looked at the tall man named Gai and smiled sweetly. Gai had to double take when he reached the two. "Well well, Kakashi. I had heard rumors of you running around with a woman, but I had no idea she would be this youthfully gorgeous."

Ari laughed to herself and smiled at him. Kakashi sort of glared but he was being nice. "Might Gai, this is Ari Suon. Ari, this is Guy." he introduced the two.

Gai wagged his bushy eyebrows and bowed at her. "And what a pleasure it is to be meeting you, my fair maiden." he took her hand in his and squeezed it gently as he straightened up.

"Pleasure's mine." she nodded her head at him as he squeezed her hand. He lingered a little to long on her hand, and she politely slipped it away. Kakashi crossed his arms over his chest.

"Did you need something?" he asked him, irritated by his presence.

Gai smiled at Ari. "Well I did come here to challenge you to another race around the village, but I wouldn't want this perfectly lovely young lady to have to wait around for us gentlemen."

Ari tried not to laugh at his obvious attempts to flirt with her. "Well thank you, Gai. How very, erm… considerate." Ari smiled again.

Once Gai parted from them, Kakashi still had a moody look on his face. Ari smiled to herself. "Is it just me, or do I sense a jealous Shinobi on my right?" she teased.

Kakashi sighed. "I'm not jealous, he's just annoying is all." he shoved his hands back into his pockets. Ari laughed.

"Alright then. You're not jealous." she shrugged, and they kept walking.

Children ran about the market place as their parents looked at things, letting the children have their fun. A little boy chased after his friend, running in front of Ari and Kakashi. He tripped, but before he could hit the ground, Kakashi was right there. He caught the boy quickly and set him on his feet.

The boy stared up at him.

"You should be more careful." Kakashi said gently. The boy nodded and smiled.

"Thanks mister!" he bowed his head quickly and ran after his friend.

Ari looked at him and smiled to herself.

Kakashi looked at her. "What?" he asked.

"Nothing. Nothing at all." she slipped her arm in his and hugged him.

Kakashi felt amazing as she hugged him. She was small compared to him, making the urge to protect her all the time more and more driving. He loved the fact that she was so kind and warm with him.

Everyone looked them, registering in their own minds they were a couple. Kakashi ignored them as they walked back to her apartment. As he dropped her ff at her door, he gave her one gentle and loving kiss. She lingered on his lips as he pulled away. She smiled at him and bit her lip. Kakashi palmed her cheek in his hand and kissed her again. He really just couldn't get enough of her. Ari mindlessly grabbed onto his vest, trying to keep him with her.

"Ari-chan!" she heard Masuu yell from the other end of the hall.

Kakashi abruptly pulled away and pulled his mask up over his nose.

Ari growled to herself and glared at Masuu past Kakashi. Masuu stopped, knowing she just interrupted something, but this couldn't wait. "Lady Tsunade has summoned us. Kakashi and Team 7 too." she said.

Ari nodded, and looked at Kakashi. "Let's go then."

((A/N: I'm Soooooooooo sorry I've been away for so long! I just kinda got bored of it and stopped cuz of brain blockedge . But, I promise you, I will have more chappies up soon!))