Chapter 9

The Arrival of Friendship

That next morning, the waters were calm and blue and the sun shone bright. Ari perched herself on top of a barrel with her legs crossed under her as she was sewing one of Hikaru's old toys back up together. It gave her something to do while she tried to forget the storm last night, and savored the memory of Kakashi's lips against hers.

Ari was dressed in her usual outfit of the green skirt and shirt that cut off above her belly. Blew a strand of hair away from her face that bothered her as it joined the other mess she had that covered her right eye.

"So you sew, love kids, I bet you clean, and I don't know if you cook." sazid a humble voice from in front of her.

She looked up and smiled at Kakashi. "I do clean ad I do cook. What's your point, Kakashi-kun?" she giggled.

Kakashi shrugged. "Great qualities in a woman. Especially one as tough as you. It shows your soft side."

Ari put aside the project. "I inherited those traits from my honorable mother. She was a kunoichi, but also the greatest of wives."

Kakashi looked at her. "I bet you'd make some man proud to have you as a wife." he said and smiled from underneath his mask.

Ari blushed. "Thank you, Kakashi-kun…" she smiled.

Kakashi sighed and leaned against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest. Ari looked at him from the corner of her eyes and picked up the toy again and worked on it.

The three genin nin came out into the deck. They sat on some stairs that were next to Kakashi.

"I'm glad the storm is over." Sakura said.

"Yeah. That was a major pain." Naruto muttered and put his hands behind his head.

Ari smiled to herself as she listened to the kids talk.

The door opened from the hallway, and Hikaru came outside. Ari looked at him. She had an urge to go and hug him but she stayed where she was. The boy looked around the deck

The tiger, Cham approached him slowly. Ari stepped down from the barrel, but Kakashi put a hand on her shoulder, assuring her it was alright. Kiki, the little monkey, chattered and climbed up to Hikaru in his arms. Cham made his way to Hikaru , and circled around him once. Ari tensed, but Kakashi squeezed her shoulder gently.

Cham lowered his head to the boy. Hikaru smiled with side and happy eyes, and he pet the tiger's large head, and hugged him. Hikaru was happy and laughing, and everyone watched the tiger and the boy. Ari relaxed and smiled. So he finally learned how to make peace with others…

Hikaru's smiled soon was turned to tears. "I'm happy. I'm happy now that I have atleast one friend." he wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.

Naruto stepped forward with a warm smile like he always had. "Is that all you want? A friend?" he asked.

Hikaru looked at him confused. But he nodded.

Naruto grinned. "Well then you have one. I'll be your friend, Hikaru." Naruto jammed a thumb at himself.

"Don't forget me!" Sakura came forward, her hands on her knees smiling down at him.

"And me!" Rock Lee put his hands on his hips and grinned.

Hikaru's smile got even wider, and he started to cry.

Naruto laughed. "We'll always be friends." he put his fist out. Sakura put her on top of his and Rock lee on top of hers. Hikaru hesitated, but he joined them. Cham stood on his hind legs and put both his heavy paws on top of the children's hands. They all fell over onto the floor and laughed.

Ari giggled, her warm laughed ringing in Kakashi's ears. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. Ari's hand covered her mouth as she laughed, but Kakashi could still see her perfect pink painted lips. The ones that he wanted to kiss again…

"Your highness, the Moon Country is up ahead!" alerted one of the sailors.

Ari looked up and saw the horizon of the beautiful island. She smiled. "I'm finally gonna be able to sleep in my own bed!" she cheered to herself. But stopped.

And that means that the escorts would have to… leave soon…

Ari's head hung a little as she looked at her feet sadly. She didn't want them to leave. She didn't want him to leave…

((A/N: Sorry it's so short. It was all I could really do. Lol, I have to watch the movie over and over again to get things right, o excuse the shortness on sum chappies!))