[CH.1]
(Link: art/COMM-Cheering-you-up-700457605 )
Ten years have passed since the Tailed War. Peace seems to have truly come to the ninja world. Naruto is still trying to get used to being the Hokage and Rini is learning her place as head of the hospital. While doing this both are also trying to keep up with their family life.
On a clear early spring morning, all seems at peace with in the Leaf Village. The sun shines gently with a cool breeze causing the leaves to dance as everyone goes about their happy day.
At the Inuzuka home Akamaru strolls into a room with a small orange fox pup snuggled next to a blanket cocoon. Taking a corner of it in his teeth he unveils a long dark brown haired nine year old.
"Aka~ it's too early." The girl yawns rubbing her sleepy sky blue eyes.
The old dog simply lets out a small bark as he turns to the door. The young girl looks as if she's going to fall asleep again as the little fox stretches awake.
'Why did Aka-' the girl yawns as she stretches. 'Wait if Aka's back then…' the girl pops awake with a twinkle in her eyes.
Rushing down the stairs she flies into the kitchen where a man in a gray t-shirt is getting ready to make eggs. Excited to see her father, she hugs him from behind with a jump.
"Hey! Inari! Stove! Stove!" Kiba turns of the stove, grateful nothing was on it yet.
"You're home. You're really home." Inari hugs him tightly beaming with delight.
'Guess I really was gone for a while.' Kiba smiles down at her.
"How about going out for breakfast? That sound good?" Kiba pats her messy bed head.
"Yeah." Inari smiles happily.
Inari hums as she walks just a bit ahead of her father on the village streets. Kiba simply smiles as he watches the fox pup dance under her skipping feet.
"We really shouldn't stay away so long. Huh Akamaru?" Kiba whispers to the big white dog by his side.
The dog barks in agreement as his tail wags.
Later on at the restaurant, Kiba listens as his daughter, sitting next to him, fills him in on everything she's done in the three weeks he's been gone. Kiba listens intently and enjoying her bright smile.
"Hey during your mission… did you stop by the Sand Village?" Inari glances shyly at her dad as she sips her milk.
"I did. And your mom misses you." Kiba smiles knowingly.
"That's not… I didn't… pass the syrup please." Inari flushes.
"She'll be done at the dig soon." Kiba passes the syrup with a chuckle. "She had under a month left when I was there. So it won't be too much longer." He smiles softly at Inari.
"So she won't be able to come tomorrow." Inari's eyes sadden.
"I'm sorry pup." Kiba pats her head. "But Akamaru and I will be. Isn't that right boy?" he grins happily as Akamaru wags his tail in response.
"You promise?" Inari glances at him sadly yet a bit hopeful.
"Promise." Kiba holds out his pinky for hers.
Inter locking pinkies Inari smiles again.
Going to eat her syrup drowned pancakes she finds her pink eyed fox pup, Ginger, has dived into them already. Glancing up at her dad with sad eyes, Kiba sighs as he calls the waitress over to order again.
After eating they go to a grassy park for them to play with the animals. Still a bit tired from his long mission, Kiba sits under a tree watching Inari run around with Akamaru and Ginger.
'Wish you were here Rini.' Kiba touches his half of a butterfly necklace as he smiles softly at Akamaru licking the pinned girl's face.
"Weren't you supposed to be resting?" Sai appears right next to him.
"What could be better relaxation then spending the day with your kid?" Kiba laughs glancing up at his old friend.
"I guess that's true." Sai stares with slightly sad expression.
"What's up Sai? Something happen?" Kiba stands with concern in his eyes.
"Actually…" Sai sighs heavily before explaining things to him.
"Dad! Uncle Sai!" Inari runs over to him with Ginger riding on her shoulder.
"Hi there Inari. How are you feeling about tomorrow?" Sai smiles softly at her.
"A bit nervous. But I'll be fine with dad there." Inari beams over at her dad.
"About that pup… Sai came to get me for a mission." Kiba bends down to talk at her eye level.
"B-but you promised." Inari's eyes cloud over with sadness.
"I'm so sorry pup." Kiba moves to pat her head.
"Lair!" Inari slaps away his hand. "I hate you!" she runs off with tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Inari!" Kiba calls after her.
Hours pass by slowly as Inari sniffles at the growingly darker playground. She sits on a swing as the sand is stained by her still falling tears.
"What are you doing here?" calls a familiar voice.
Inari looks over to the other swing to see a black haired guy with slightly girly dark sea green eyes. Glancing at with a tear stained face, she goes back to staring at the sand and Ginger playing by her shoes.
"Dad's going on another mission. He just got back and now…" Inari feels her tears coming back again.
"I thought Boruto tricked you into eating a chili pepper burger like me." The nine year old laughs slightly.
"Really?" Inari sniffles.
"Yeah it was like wow and then wah. And my tongue was on fire." The guy makes funny hand motions and faces, getting Inari to laugh.
"You're silly Shikadai." Inari laughs.
Shikadai chuckles to himself, glad she's smiling again. Their laughter is soon drowned out by the sound of a growling stomach. Inari flushes with embracement.
"Mom's making beef stew tonight. Wanna come over?" Shikadai stands holding a hand out for hers.
"Sure." Inari nods taking his hand.
Tamari is angry that her son is so late. Yet her temper is quelled by the site of a sad Inari. After hearing what happened over dinner, Tamari suggests Inari spend the night so she is not on her own.
Tamari leaves for a short while to bring Shikamaru his dinner and a change of clothes. Truthfully apart of it was most likely that she wanted to yell at them for sending Kiba on another mission so soon. Returning home, she finds the two of them asleep on each other's shoulders with a two player game in between them.
"Sleep well you two." Tamari whispers as she covers them with a blanket laying on the couch.