Just A Kid

Chapter 5

As the morning arrived, so did the bird songs and the buzzing of the bees.

Araile's eyes opened slightly, but automatically squinted as the sun's rays shone straight into her eyes. The sky was streaked with an assortment of purples and pinks, and a flock of birds flew across the sky, squawking and shrieking. With a yawn, Araile lifted her head off Sasuke's lap and looked around, sleep still clinging to her eyes. She then looked at Sasuke, and felt a smile tugging at her lips as she began thinking of all the times they played together as young children.

Her stomach suddenly growled loudly, reminding her that she hadn't had any food since yesterday. Araile patted her stomach, and silently walked up to Kakashi who was already up and keeping guard. Araile tugged on Kakashi's vest, and as he turned around her stomach let its demands known.

Kakashi chuckled as Araile's face turned red in embarrassment. He rummaged through his pack, before handing her an apple.

"Yummy! I haven't had an apple in so long," Araile gushed as she held the fruit.

Her stomach gurgled in approval as she bit into the fruit, wiggling in happiness as she sat down beside Sasuke as he opened his eyes.

"Sasuke, I thought you were still sleeping," the girl said, giggling slightly.

"I was up before you were," Sasuke answered. "I was just dozing when you got up".

Araile shrugged and continue to eat the apple, munching in happiness as the rest of Team 7 began to stir. As the sun rose high in the sky, Kakashi decided it was time to move on, and everyone agreed with enthusiasm. Everyone wanted to get back home to Konoha.

As the team began to get moving, Araile ran to the nearest tree and jumped onto a branch. She wanted to travel to the village by tree branches. It was something the girl always enjoyed to do since she was younger.

Before long Araile stopped suddenly, her body went rigid. Sakura noticed this and called to Kakashi, who had began reading his book while walking.

"Kakashi-sensei, what's wrong with Araile?" Sakura said.

"Hm?" Kakashi said as he looked up from his book.

Sasuke jumped up towards the branch Araile was on and stood in front of his childhood friend. Her eyes widened as her heart began pounding in her small chest. 

"Araile? What's the matter with you?" Sasuke said as he placed a hand on her shoulder.

Her eyes snapped up to Sasuke's face.

"Get down, now!" she snapped.

Sasuke looked at Araile funny as Kakashi stood still while putting his book away, looking around with his visible eye narrowed. A strong wind picked up as trees begin to sway back and forth. Naruto began to get hyped up, muttering something about showing that he was better than Sasuke, causing Sakura to yell at her teammate.

"Sakura, Naruto, Sasuke, be careful. Someone is watching us," Kakashi said.

Sensing their sensei's tense tone of voice, both Sakura and Naruto came running.

Araile and Sasuke jumped down and the team gathered together in a tight circle. 

"Kakashi-sensei, what's going on? Who? Who is watching us?" Naruto cried out, Sakura nodding in concern.

Kakashi looked at his young charge, but Araile was still rigid on the tree branch. Someone was watching them, but where?

"I don't know," he said.

Suddenly, numerous shurikan flew out of the trees and headed for Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto. The team tensed, ready to either dodge or deflect the weapons. Before anybody could do anything, Araile jumped down in front of the shurikan.

Sasuke's eyes widened in surprise, and Sakura cried out.

Araile's body flew from the tree branch, but disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"Shadow clone?" Naruto said in surprise, before looking around quickly.

A rustle in a nearby bush caught the team's attention, and a loud 'BOO!' screamed out followed with a loud giggle. Birds flew from the bush in a fury of wings, chirping shrilly in agitation, and another giggle followed. Naruto quickly took out a kunai, and Sakura nervously wrung her hands together.

Kakashi let out a sigh as Araile poked her head out of the bushes, grinning mischievously.

"Was that necessary?" he asked as his charge stumbled out of the bush, pulling a twig out of her hair.

"Yes," she answered shortly, patting her black shorts to dislodge any dirt.

Sighing, Kakashi scratched the back of his head. Sometimes he had to wonder about Araile. Kakashi placed his hand on top of Araile's hair, earning a protest when he ruffled her hair. Araile puffed her cheeks out in irritation.

He was always doing that! It was funny when she was little, but she was nine years old! A growing girl! And growing girls don't have their hair ruffled.