* Crescent moon movie*

It was a hot day traveling through the desert. Aceso was sent on a mission with the remaining team 7, including Kakashi and Rock Lee. Lady Tsunade gave them all different clothing than usual. Aceso's pants were now above the knee, and her shirt turned into a crop top, that ended around her belly button, it got tight there. She had her bow and arrows with her as well. She still wore her usual suspenders, ropes around her waist, and of course her two braids.

"Man, it's hot," Naruto complained.

"Oh, shut up, Naruto!" Sakura snapped. "We got our new summer uniforms. What more could you want? Stop complaining."

"Just hang in there," Lee encouraged. " The Rendevous point is right up ahead here."

"Some A B rank mission this is," Naruto groaned.

"This person we are supposed to escort-" Aceso as began.

"Is important right, Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura asked.

"According to Lady Tsunade, he is," Kakashi explained. Aceso was quite happy Kakashi was with them, due to all the missions, she barely gets a chance to see him, almost even less during his ANBU days.

"Uh," Naruto breathed as they stopped walking. Up ahead they saw and heard horses. They stopped and waited for the carriages to pull up along them.

"Is this all for one person?" Sakura asked.

" All these wagons, what the heck are they are for?" Naruto asked.

"My shopping," a man answered as a carriage door opened. " I saw so many wonderful things in all the lands we visited. I had to have them. So I just kept buying and buying and before I knew it, I had ended up with all this." He chuckled. The man was a big man, and very happy. " I am the prince of the Land of Moon. Michiru Tsuki. And you. I take it..."

"Are from the Village Hidden in the Leaves your majesty," Kakashi confirmed. "I'm Kakashi Hatake, I'm the squad leader. This is Naruto Uzumaki."

"How do you do?" Naruto greeted.

 "Sakura Haruno," Kakashi said.

"Pleasures mine," Sakura smiled.

"Aceso Matsuba-Hatake," Kakashi said with a lighter tone.

"Wonderful to meet you," Aceso smiled.

"And Rock Lee," Kakashi said with a darker tone.

"Sir!" Lee saluted the prince.

"The five of us are your escorts, plus Aceso is a doctor. We are here to see you safely home to your kingdom," Kakashi announced.

"Well, I can see that I am in good hands," Prince Michiru smiled. He walked over and got really close to Sakura and Aceso's faces. "Well, hello. Aren't you two pretty ones? Far too pretty to be a ninja and a doctor."

"Don't be deceived," Kakashi warned. "They are both well qualified." Michiru looked back at the two girls.

"You don't say?" Michiru asked in disbelief. "Thank you, I'm glad you both came." He held up two hands, one for both girls to shake.

"Well, that's alright really," Sakura assured as they both grabbed a hand, he then enclosed his hand around their hands. "Oh, they're both cute." Lee and Naruto both gasped angrily, then looked at Michiru angrily. Sakura tightened her grip and he started to scream. Aceso simply let her hand drop as Michiru tried to pill away from Sakura.

"Like you said, you're in good hands," Kakashi confirmed. Naruto and Lee both giggled as Sakura and Aceso smiled mindlessly. Suddenly a rubber arrow struck Naruto in the forehead, he fell over, and he let out a scream.

"Hey, what did you do that for, little sister?" Naruto demanded.

"Oh, that wasn't me," Aceso denied.

" Defensive positions!" Naruto declared as he got up with a kunai ready. " Take cover! We're under attack!"

"If we were under attack, I think the arrow would be sharper and not a small rubber plunger," Aceso pointed out as she took it off his forehead protector.

"And in real life, you'd be dead," a child's voice said.

"Huh?" Naruto asked. They looked to see a small boy entering the field.

"Father, are you sure about these people?" the boy asked. "They don't really look much like an escort. Especially not the yellow spikey short one."

"Hey, just wait a minute there!" Naruto began as he marched forward, Kakashi immediately put a hand over Naruto's mouth and dragged him back towards the others.

" Oh, I hope you'll forgive my son, Hikaru," Michuri wished. "He's in that mischievous stage that boys go through."

"Nice to meet you, Hikaru," Kakashi greeted. "My daughter also went through a mischievous stage as well when she was younger, I think all kids do." Hikaru fixed his glasses and smirked at the struggling Naruto.

"Well, then shall we be off?" Michiru asked. The two royals headed back into their wagon.

"Just deal with it," Kakashi ordered Naruto. "Remember what Lady Tsunade said."

"If any harms come to the prince, we'll have an international incident on our hands," Aceso recalled. The carriages started moving, and they were all placed in different sections, to watch over them. Aceso was located at the far back. Then the first attack came, and they all took on separate opponents, occasionally having to save Sakura. Then night came, and they stopped for some food, Aceso sat at the same rock as Kakashi, and they all enjoyed a bowl of ramen.

"How are you doing?" Kakashi asked.

"I am doing quite well," Aceso answered. " How are you?"

"Dandy," Kakashi answered. "I hear Lady Tsunade sent you out for a couple of doctor missions."

"That's right," Aceso agreed. "I like going out to help heal people. And your missions?"

"There's always trouble with A-rank missions," Kakashi answered. "But they all go well."

"You normally succeed in your missions," Aceso answered.

"You aren't getting lonely are you?" Kakashi asked.

"Of course not," Aces smiled up at him. "Soon all this chaos will die down and you can be in the village more. Maybe on a day off, we can go fishing together, with Papa Gai as well."

"I like the sound of that," Kakashi smiled down at her. After eating, Sakura and Lee both got some sleep as Naruto, Aceso, and Kakashi stayed on guard. Aceso heard Naruto shivering badly.

"Here," Aceso offered as she appeared on the wagon he and Lee were sleeping on. She wrapped her blanket around him.

"What about you?" Naruto asked as he took off the blanket.

"I'll be fine," Aceso answered. "We can't have you getting sick on the mission."

"Thanks, Aceso," Naruto sniffed as he took back the blanket. Once the sun rose, they were back on the road, they have finally left the desert section and passed through grass fields. Aceso walked in the back again.

"Aceso," a voice whispered, she looked at the other side of the carriage and saw Lee.

"What are you doing back here, Lee?" Aceso asked. "Shouldn't you be up further?"

"I just came back to have a quick word with you," Lee answered as he flashed a smile. "Let me say my piece."

"Very well," Aceso nodded. Lee opened his mouth to say something when they heard Naruto struggling up ahead. He looked like he was about to fight Hikaru again, but Kakashi stopped him."Sorry, Lee, you are going to have to save it for later. I'm going to go trade places with Naruto."

"No, I will," Lee insisted, before Aceso could protest, Lee went up ahead. They soon enter a small town and made their way to a circus, Aceso wasn't a big fan of the circus. She always passed up the opportunity to go with Gai and Kakashi if one ever came to the village. Inside they saw animals doing tricks, clowns, and acrobatics. Aceso sat in the back row, in between Kakashi and Lee.

" A right!" Sakura yelled as they watched the kangaroos box each other. She and Naruto were throwing punches in the air. Lee easily dodged Sakura's mindless punching. "And a left! Right!" She punched Naruto over the bench.

" And now, the moment you've been waiting for!" the ringmaster announced as he stood in the middle. "The one and only Chamu, the saber-tooth tiger!" Lights spun around before landing on the big cat that stood on the platform. He let out a low growl, before a terrifying roar. He jumped from platform to platform before landing in the center. " As rare as he is dangerous! The only one of his kind kept in captivity! And Chamu's friend and partner! Kiki!" A little monkey flipped around before landing on Chamu's head. "And now Chamu and Kiki have a very special treat for you." The two played, don't the ball touch the ground together. Chamu then jumped through rings of fire. He let out a couple of roars as Kiki landed on his head with an apple. He took a small bite of it, threw the apple up and arrow impale the apple, sending it into the board behind. Chamu laid down as everyone else cheered.

"We should do that," Lee whispered to Aceso. "It'll be a form of training."

"We'll start with suction cup arrows first," Aceso whispered back.

"I want to join in on this too," Naruto whispered.

"Such idiots you three," Sakura groaned.

 "If you thought that was hard," the ringmaster began. Watch this!" Chamu stood on his hind legs, as Kiki spun an apple on his finger. " If he's off by a fraction, it's goodbye Kiki. All right, we need absolute silence everyone." The archer took his aim, everyone watched intensely, then a rubbed suction cup arrow snagged the apple. Everyone was in complete shock at what happened. The lights turned to shine on Michiru and Hikaru who held his bow.

"Easy shot," Hikaru said.

"Bravo!" Ringmaster congratulated. Good eye, sonny!" He was the only one that clapped. "However, let's see you handle this." He snapped his fingers, Chamu got back on his feet, and Kiki had another apple. Kiki spun the apple as Chamu ran around the center platform. "Go ahead, try it now. And if you make it, you win a prize." Everyone intensely watched Hikaru take aim. He released the arrow, striking the apple. "W-wow."

"Atta boy, way to go!" Michiru cheered along with everyone else.

"Remarkable," Aceso breathed.

"The boy has talent," Lee agreed. Naruto, on the other hand, wasn't too impressed.

"What a great shot," the ringmaster congratulated as he walked over to Hikaru. "I've never seen anything like it."

"I've done harder ones," Hikaru said.

"You deserve a prize for that one," the ringmaster stated as he started to think. "Now let me see, how about a beautiful bal-"

"I want him," Hikaru declared as he pointed at Chamu. 

"Oh, Chamu?" Ringmaster asked. " He's too big and dangerous, sonny. Besides with Chamu gone, I wouldn't have a show."

" I don't care, I want him," Hikaru demanded.

" Well, even so, you have to understand," Ringmaster began to explain.

"Father, please," Hikaru begged.

"Sure, why not," Michiru agreed happily.  "You know, I always wanted my own circus, why don't we buy the whole thing? Tent and all." The ringmaster didn't seem too happy. After the show was over, Michiru happily bought the tent. The whole circus was in complete shock. It was around sundown when almost everything was packed up.

"Amazing," Sakura breathed. "This guy bought the whole circus."

"That's rich," Naruto said. Then they witnessed Hikaru about to be attacked by Chamu, Naruto quickly jumped in a saved the boy.

"Woah, that was close," Naruto breathed.

"Sonny, you gotta be careful," the ringmaster warned. "He's a wild animal, he doesn't like animals,  not even me."

"Listen here," Michiru growled angrily grabbing the guy's collar. "You got to do something about him! He's dangerous!"

"Of course!" the ringmaster quickly agreed. "We'll keep him locked up in his cage, and keep him under guard at all times. Won't happen again."

"That was a little scary, huh?" Naruto asked.

"I-" Hikaru began as he looked up at Naruto, he shoved Naruto away and ran off.

"Hey!" Naruto called as Hikaru rounded the corner.

"Hikaru!" Aceso called out softly.

"Wait!" Sakura called out.

"Don't thank me!" Naruto snapped. " I only saved your life is all!"

"Are you alright, Naruto?" Aceso asked as she looked at him.

"Yeah," Naruto grumbled. That night Aceso and Lee got put on the same watch shift.

"So what did you want to tell me?" Aceso asked as they sat back to back on top of a wagon.

"Huh?" Lee asked.

"Earlier, before the circus," Aceso said.

"My apologies, but it seems I have forgotten," Lee answered. Aceso laughed lightly. "Uh...Red Rose?"

"Hm?" Aceso asked.

"If you had this much money, what you do it?" Lee asked.

"I want to hear your answer first," Aceso answered.

"I would open a more stable dojo," Lee answered. "That way we won't have to keep fixing it each time someone gets kicked through the wall." Aceso laughed. "And you?"

"I would open a pharmacy," Aceso answered.

" If you save enough, I'm sure you can make that dream into a reality," Lee said.

"Same with yours," Aceso said. 

"Little sister," Naruto said as he hopped up to the wagon with Sakura. "We will take over for the remainder of the night." He put the blanket around her. "Get some sleep. You too, Bushy brow," Aceso ended up falling asleep with her back against Lee's and to the sound of his snoring. The next morning, they traveled to the port, Aceso walked alongside the prince's wagon this time.

"Are you feeling better Hikaru?" Aceso asked. He didn't respond. "As a fellow shooter, I gotta say, you have remarkable skill with a bow and arrow." Hikaru looked over at her.

"Aren't you a bit young to be a doctor?" Hikaru asked.

"Why you!" Naruto growled marching up to the carriage. Aceso grabbed Naruto and dragged him back as Kakashi took her place. "You are just going to take it!"

"Just deal with it," Aceso advised.

"But-" Naruto began.

"It seems Hikaru isn't very kind to others, but not all clients will be," Aceso said. They soon reached the port.

"My prince, I'm afraid a storm at sea hasn't been prevented the royal yacht from meeting us as expected. I've had to make provisional arrangements to take us home," one of the workers explained. "Not to worry, it won't be long."

"Very well," Michiru said. "In the meantime, I have an important call to make here, anyway." Kakashi, Aceso, and Naruto went off with the royal carriage to go visit Hikaru's mom. They arrived at a  cute small house on the water, a woman was in the garden. The prince stopped and got bundles of flowers. The woman stood up and faced the wagon when the door opened.

"How wonderful to see you, Amayo!" Michiru cheered happily. The woman gasped, when Hikaru stepped out, she dropped her basket, and rushed over to him. "Oh, my honey!"

"Hikaru?" Amayo breathed as she knelt in front of the boy. She gasped and englued the boy in tears. "Oh, Hikaru! My beautiful boy!

"Huh? Wait, that lady the prince's wife?" Naruto asked.

"And Hikaru's mom," Aceso added.

"Look at you Hikaru," the woman gushed. "You've grown." Michiru cleared his throat, holding out a bundle of roses.

 "Who are you?" Amayo asked in annoyance, the prince gasped sadly. 

"How could you say that, Amayo?" Michiru cried. "Don't you recognize me?"

"Impossible," Amayo said. "Michiru?"

"Of course it's me!" He exclaimed.

"What!?" Amayo exclaimed in denial. "No, no, I don't believe it! You're too fat!"

"Well, if I am it's only because of you," Michiru said, Aceso narrowed her eyes at  Michiru from the response. "Eating is the only thing to help me forget my loneliness." She let out a sigh after the two adults talk to each other, and they went back to the docks. The sun was setting, Sakura, Naruto, and Aceso looked down at Hikaru who sat at the end of the docks. Aceso held the ramen cups in place as Naruto poured the hot water.

"Hard to believe isn't it?" Sakura asked. "That, that's the boy's mother.

"Yeah, she got sick and tired of living with the prince, so she left three years ago," Naruto explained.

"Heh, can't say I blame her," Sakura gruffed.

"The prince has no idea what love is really about," Aceso sighed. "You can't just buy things to make someone happy and have them fall in love with you. The person needs to make you feel like the world is brighter and warmer. A sense of security, someone that makes you lose all your senses." 

"That's for sure," Sakura agreed. Aceso then got to her feet.

"Well, we are going to see how the loading coming along," Sakura said as she stood up.

"Okay," Naruto said with a mouth full of ramen as the girls walked off. 

 "Honestly, boys can be so clueless when it comes to love," Sakura complained as they started to help and check on the loading.

"Completely stupid," Aceso agreed. "If someone were to try to buy me, my love, they would never get it, they have to earn it."

"With small things too," Sakura agreed. 

"If I were a boy, I would know how to love someone better," Aceso said. "I would leave little cute sticky notes, and surprise flowers for no reason. Even if it's just something picked along the side of the road."

"If I were a boy, for my lover I would serenade them with a song of love," Sakura said.

"We could look at the stars together, train, have tea," Aceso added. "It's the little things, that count most."

"Unlike most boys, I would actually listen to her and show interest when she talks about things she likes, I wouldn't ignore her," Sakura said. They started to hear the sounds of someone crying, they looked back by the dock, to Naruto standing up with his arms crossed, and Hikaru on the ground crying. 

"Naruto!"Sakura growled as she charged at him. "Did you do what I think you just did!?"

"Slow down, Sakura," Naruto pleaded. "Just showing him-" Sakura plummeted to Naruto, and he flew up and into the water. After loading everything they could, they loaded the boat and set sail for the island. That night they sat upon the deck listening to a band play, people danced, and food as well.

"Way to shake it prince!" one of the circus girls cheered. 

"This is wonderful!" the Prince cheered, he seemed drunk. "Makes me forget all my troubles!"

"What did I do?" Naruto complained from the ground, he was tied up and not allowed to eat. "Just untie me, what's the big deal?"

"You don't go around watching the son of the prince," Sakura scolded as she grabbed meat. "Face it, you have to apologize."

"No, forget it," Naruto denied as rolled the other way. "Never! Not a chance!"

"Suit, yourself," Sakura said as he walked over with the plate. "But you are missing one heck of the party." She took a bite of the food.

"What are you doing? Cut that out Sakura, let me out, I'm starving!" Naruto pleaded.

"Here, Naruto," Aceso said as she got up with her plate of food. She sat beside him and held up food on a fork.

"Aceso," Sakura warned.

"Naruto needs his strength," Aceso answered. Naruto happily took the food off the fork.

"This is why you are one of my favorites," Naruto said happily after swallowing his food.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Sakura growled as she held up a fist.

"Sakura!" Naruto panicked. After the party, everyone went to bed, while Aceso and Kakashi stayed up, keeping watch.

"The new moon has passed," Kakashi noted.

"I think the moon is almost the shape of the island we are going to," Aceso noted. They both saw lighting in the distance, along with some thunder rumbling. 

"Don't like the look of that," Kakashi said, Aceso nodded in agreement. Not too long afterward, they entered the storm. They came to them for help.

"We'll do what we can," Aceso said.

"It's the circus animals, I'm worried about," Kakashi added.

"The circus people will help you, hurry there's no time to lose!" the guy pleaded. The boat was rocking back and forth, water flooded the deck. 

"Get up," Sakura ordered Naruto. "We're going to need your help." They all ran off.

"Easy for you," Naruto groaned. "You're not starving."

"Come on," Aceso urged before running off to join the others. Aceso was doing everything she can to help the animals out of their cages and over to safety.

"What are you doing?" the ringmaster demanded. They looked over to see Hikaru going over to Chamu. "Leave him!" They watched the kid open the cage.

"What's he?" Naruto asked. Chamu ran out, and Kiki climbed on top, the boat tipped heavily to the right.

"Hang on!" Aceso called out as she got over, as the water washed away Hikaru and Kiki over the edge. 

"Hikaru!" Naruto called out. They saw the Chamu was hanging onto the net. Then Chamu started to go overboard with Hikaru, Aceso jumped on the edge and use her rope Jutsu, and the two went into the water, just as her ropes grabbed on to Chamu, Hikaru, and Kiki, it wrapped around the three, combining them into one capture, she pulled them up and out of the water.

" Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto shouted, his clones all formed two lines and grabbed and helped Aceso bring them back on board. Once they were back on board, they slid over to a pole, and the Naruto and Aceso ran over to the two. "Hikaru!" Aceso started her medical healing on the boy and animals. By morning, the skies were clear, the sun shining, and calm waters. Aceso had just finished helping Hikaru.

"You are as good as new," Aceso smiled as she put a sticker on his shirt.

"Thank you," Hikaru said softly, he smiled up at her. Aceso was taken back by his kindness, but she was happy to see some change happening.

"Ready to go see everyone else?" Aceso asked.

"If that's alright," Hikaru said.

"Of course it is!" Prince Michiru smiled. Aceso walked over to the door and opened it, everyone looked at her, she then stepped to the side letting Prince Michiru and Hikaru go on the deck, everyone was quite happy they were okay. Kiki happily ran over to Hikaru and jumped in his arms. Hikaru happily laughed, then stopped when he looked up to see Chamu walking over. Michiru jumped back nervously. Aceso leaned against the doorway, watching.

"Hey, watch out sonny!" the ringmaster warned. "Get back!" They watched Chamu circle, Hikaru, stopping in front of him. Everyone was nervous, not knowing what was about to happen. Hikaru looked down at Kiki, he made gestures, Hikaru looked back, and took a small step forward, holding out his hand. Hikaru put his hand up closer to Chamu's ear, and Chamu happily accepted him. Hikaru smiled as he continued to pet the saber tooth tiger.  Chamu laid at Hikaru's feet, Kiki jumped onto Chamu happily, he purred happily.

"Amazing," the ringmaster complimented. "I've never seen Chamu do anything like that with anyone before." 

"Go on," Sakura nudged Naruto.

"Hey," Naruto greeted as he walked up to Hikaru. "I-uh-just wanted to say." He bowed. "I'm sorry!" Hikaru seemed surprised. " I shouldn't of whacked you, and I shouldn't of said those things, so I'm sorry." He stood back up. " Man, you were great. Maybe a little reckless, but you sure get points for guts. he knelt down. "And I'm not the only who knows how brave you are, they know it too," Chamu growled happily and rubbed against Hikaru. Naruto laughed.

"Same here," Hikaru teared up. He wiped his eyes, stood up, and bowed toward Naruto. "I'm sorry too. For everything, I did and said." He turned to Chamu. " That goes for you too, sorry Chamu. I got mad when you didn't trust me right away. You see, all I wanted was for you and Naruto to be my friends. I've never been able to make friends. I don't know how?"

"Is that all you wanted?" Naruto asked. "Why didn't you say so? You want a friend, you got one." Hikaru looked back at Naruto. "From here on out, we're officially friends."

"You mean it?" Hikaru asked.

"Yeah," Naruto confirmed. Chamu growled a little nudging Hikaru. Kiki danced around.

"Now you got three friends," Naruto confirmed.   

"Four," Aceso said as she walked over with Sakura and Lee.

 "Five," Sakura said.

"Make that six," Lee declared. He then looked down sadly.

"What is it?" Aceso asked.

"The trips almost over," Hikaru pointed out. "Once we get to me island, you'll all be going home."

"Yeah, that's true," Sakura agreed.

"Distance doesn't mean we stop being friends," Aceso smiled.

"Huh?" Hikaru asked.

"Friends are forever no matter the distance," Aceso said.

"Yeah, who cares," Naruto agreed as he stood up. "We'll just have to make a promise to each other." He held out a pinky finger. "I promise to never forget you if you'll do the same? Deal? Friends forever?"

"Deal," Hikaru said after standing up. He hooked his pinky with Narutos.

"Wait, a second, what about us?" Sakura said as she put her arm on Naruto's shoulder.

"Oh, sorry," Naruto apologized. Aceso, Lee, and Sakura hooked their fingers around Narutos and Hikaru's.

"So...we're...all of us, friends forever right?" Hikaru asked.

"Right!" Lee shined a smile.

"That's right," Naruto confirmed.

"Yeah," Sakura nodded.

"Friends forever," Aceso repeated. Chamu put his paws in the middle and joined in on the promise with Kiki, he let out a roar he knocked them all over. They all laughed, as Chamu purred. Hikaru fell into happy tears as he laughed. They finally arrived at the island, they started to unload everything thing as they set off for the palace.

"Be sure to visit us at the palace," Michiru requested.

"Thank you, your highness, it'll be an honor," the ringmaster thanked.

"Right, let's be off," Michiru ordered. They started their way into the kingdom. Aceso was in the back again, keeping guard as the others were on the side. The whole place seemed like a ghost town, with not a soul in sight.

"Welcome to the land of the moon!" a female voice echoed. "Nature's playground! Home of surf, sand, and sun! After a day of fun, on our shimmering coral beaches, don't forget to visit our elegant shop and casinos. And stop for a cool drink a the crescent restaurant! On the main promenade."

"How strange," Michiru said. " This place is usually bubbling, where did everybody go?"

"This place is like a ghost town," Sakura noted. Aceso saw someone peaking through at the other side of the building. Kakashi glanced back at Aceso, she did a slow nod. At the castle, the gates slowly opened before letting them in. Michiru got out of the wagon and walked over to the front steps.

"Not much of a welcome home," Michiru frowned. A man and a woman appeared out of the shadows on the upper deck of the mansion. "Oh, Shabadaba!"

"Well, well, if it isn't Michiru," Shabadaba greeted. "Back from your travels? I'm sure you must be exhausted. You and young Hikaru are well, I hope?"

"Yes, thank you, Shabadaba," Michiru smiled. "What's going on in town, where is everyone? There was no one to meet us." The man stared down harshly, Aceso was not liking the look in the man's eye. " Shabadaba?" Michiru looked around in wonder. " Where is my father? Is something wrong? Why didn't he come?

" The king I'm afraid...is dead," Shabadaba said with delight.

"What?" Michiru gasped as guards ran out, surrounding them. " I rule in the Land of the Moon, now. Which means there's no need for you anymore, prince. Kill them all!"

" All of you get ready!" Kakashi yelled. They all took groups of guards. Aceso kicked one while having one tied up, then she sent the tied one up to a group of guards, knocking them all down like bowling pins. The prince and his son got in the carriage and hurried off to the safety. The guards caught them off from going any further, they surrounded the carriage.

"Don't look now," Naruto warned. "But here comes reinforcement?"

"From which side?" Kakashi asked.  A man jumped off the carriage and began to fight off the guards.

"I think they're on our side," Aceso said as she punched one, and stepped to the side as a guard ran into another guard.

"It's Korega!" Shabadaba gasped. 

"Captain Korega!" a guy yelled. "Sir!"

"What are you waiting for?" Shabadaba demanded. "He's a traitor! Kill him!"

"I am no traitor!" Korega denied. A man yelled, and raised his sword charging, but he got blocked. "Come to your senses! It's Lord Shabadaba who's the traitor!" He lodged a sword next to the head of one of the guards. "This is madness. We're all brothers in arms." Kakashi knocked aside a guard that was about to strike Korega. "Thanks, who are you anyway?" He put his back against Kakashi's.

" Leaf Village ninja," Kakashi answered. "Hired by the prince.

" I see, I'm glad you're here," Korega said.

"We've got to move, fast" Kakashi advised. Korega nodded in agreement.  "Can you drive hat coach?"

"I'm on it," Korega nodded, he took over and drove the carriage out of harm's way. They ran out of the way, Kakashi made the ground crumble so they would not be followed. "Thanks for the help, you fought well! I'm sorry there wasn't time to send warning of what's happened here?"

"Where are we heading?" Kakashi asked.

" I have men stationed in the mountains," Korega answered. "We'll go there for now." They arrived at the mountains, and gathered around a cave entrance, inside laid a man. Michiru cried as he ran over with Hikaru.

"Papa!" Michiru cried.

"Grandpa!" Hikaru cried.

"Papa? Papa!" Michiru cried. " Oh, no!"

"Grandpa!" Hikaru cried.

"What's happened?" Michiru began.

"So, that old man..."Naruto said softly. "He's the King?" They all went and sat inside the cave.

"There have been clashes lately between the late king and some of his ministers, bu Shabadaba," Korega explained. " Each side has different ideas of where they want to lead this land. The king hoped to reason with them and one day bring them around to his point of view. Bu, meanwhile Shabadaba took matters into his own hands. He plotted to overthrow the king. By chance, we discovered his plot in time and informed his majesty. He realized the time has come to confront his ministers. He knew this could be dangerous. So he sent prince Michiru and his son on tour to many lands, in order to protect them."

"That's why," Michiru gasped. " He sent us away, to protect us."

"Once you were safely out of the way, the king moved to settle the matter," Korega explained. "But it was too late, Shabadaba had already hired Shinobi mercenaries to secure his position. We were outmaneuvered and outmanned. We barely managed to escape in the nick of time. But the king, to my shame, did not."

"Grandpa," Hikaru teared up more.

"Let me take a look at his injuries," Aceso offered. She knelt down beside the king and pulled back the blanket, she gasped at the sight, parts of his body were stone. Hikaru and Michiru both gasped. " It-It's turned to stone."

"Yes," Korega breathed. "One of these three shinobi has possession of a special jutsu. And due to my negligence, he was able to use it on the king."

"What do you think, kid?" Kakashi asked.

"It's worth a try," Aceso answered. She did a few hand signs, a  ball formed at her palms, she placed it on the king, she kept it in a spot, before moving it around a little." After a few moments, Aceso stepped back and gave a report to Kakashi. Sakura, Lee, and Naruto sat by Hikaru.

"Well, Aceso?" Kakashi asked.

"I can treat petrification without a problem, but in order to be reversed, it needs to be treated immediately," Aceso answered.

"I understand," Kakashi said.

 "So much time has passed," Aceso said sadly. "There's nothing I can do." She looked down at the ground, this was the first time in years, that she hasn't had a problem that she couldn't solve.

"You're home," a voice breathed, it was the king. His eyes were opened.

"Papa!" Michiru breathed.

"Grandpa!" Hikaru exclaimed as he ran to the king's side.

 "Majesty," Kogera lowered his head.

"Hikaru, too," He said as he looked at his grandson. "Wonderful." They caught up with the king on what has happened. " I see. So it was you, who protected them. My friends, I thank you all. Tell me, how fair is the land of the moon?"

"Not well, your majesty," Korega answered. "It appears the whole island will soon be under the rebel's control."

"I see," the king breathed. " Michiru, what comes to your mind when you think about this land of ours?"

"Oh, it's a wonderful place," Michiru answered. "Beautiful, and prosperous, and wealthy."

"That's right. But I see now, that happiness and wealth is not necessarily the same thing," the King said, he turned to face the ceiling. "Joy...happiness...our hopes...and our dreams...a place of peace and harmony. Thvisionedat's the sort of land, I envisioned. I thought Shabadaba had shared my dream. But I could never get him to see it. Such a pity."

"I'm not sure, I understand either, papa," Michiru admitted. "You talk just like Amayo."

"Amayo?" King asked. " Are the two of you?" He shook his head. "What a shame."

"She told me I don't have any clue what really matters," Michiru brought up.

"Amayo was always a very sensible girl," King recalled. " I had hoped, she'd be a good influence, and with a little time with her common sense, I'd never dream she'd be one to give up. Such a pity. Yes, that's right. What really matters. Michiru?"

"Yes," He responded.

"One request," the King pleaded. "My last wish." Everyone gasped silently.

"Grandpa!" Hikaru cried.

"Papa!" Michiru cried.

"Please, don't go," Hikaru pleaded.

"It's very important, my son," the king said. "This isn't the way I imagined it happening. I know it must be hard, but you must face it Starting now...you are the king." Everyone bowed their head in sadness and cried. "You leaf shinobi."

"Yes, sir," Kakashi knelt beside the bed.

"I know, I have no right to ask this of you, but as you are an honorable man...I make this last request."

"Of course," Kakashi agreed. "Protect them...please."

"With our lives, your majesty," Kakashi nodded. They all nodded.

"I thank you," the King said as his eyes started to close. "Michiru...I depend on you." His eyes closed, and Michiru began to sob harder.

"Papa!" Michiru sobbed. Nightfall came, Naruto sat on the rocks with Hikaru, and the other three all sadly walked out of the cave. Aceso sat up in a tree, silently crying a little, staring at the water. She couldn't save that man, she felt nothing, but guilt.

"Hey," a voice said. She looked over to see Lee sitting next to her. "It is not your fault, you could not save the late king."

"I just wish I could've done something more," Aceso said as she looked back at the water. "I've never had anyone die on me before."

"As you said before, petrification has to be treated right away," Lee recalled. "You gave it your all."

"I don't want anything like this to happen again," Aceso said. "I'll just have to train harder." Lee shook his head, she looked at him. 

"Red Rose, you are highly respected for your medical skills as Lady Hokage is, sometimes...there are things even you can not do," Lee said. "What happened tonight is an example." Lee wiped away a tear with his thumb. "Knowing you, if you could you would have saved that man. So, do not feel guilty for not being able to...you are still a remarkable medical ninja, and always will be." Lee leaned forward and kissed her forehead lightly, her eyes went wide a little and he then pulled away. 

"Thank you, Lee," Aceso smiled lightly up at him. Sakura then appeared on the same branch.

"We are setting off now," Sakura told them. The two nodded.