Chapter 2
Inika opened the door to Kakashi's house and put the ANBU mask on the counter. She went up the stairs to her room and stared at the mirror. On the table in front of it was a red ribbon that she hadn't worn since she was a little girl. Inika ran her fingers over it and turned away from the mirror. She opened the window to the now dark sky and leaned out. The streets of Konoha were starting to lose people as they were going to sleep. Inika stepped out onto the tree branch that was near to her window. She climbed down the tree and began to walk the dark streets of Konoha. The leaves flew past her carried by the wind. Inika walked into the woods and sang to herself; she had done this when she younger before she moved to the Village of Snow with Kitsune. Kitsune and her were both adopted by Kakashi but Kitsune was the ruler of Snow, before she renounced herself. Now Kitsune lived with her boyfriend Gaara. Inika was left alone because she could never get over Itachi. She was so young when Itachi and her fell in love, they were childhood sweet hearts.
Inika found the stream she was looking for and took off her shoes. The water was cold but refreshing as Inika slipped her feet in it. Leaning back she looked at the moon. It was completely full, a voice behind her said, "Its pretty isn't it?" Inika didn't turn around and replied, "Yea, I guess it is." Itachi came up behind her and was close enough for Inika to lean back on him but instead she leaned forward still not looking at him. Itachi said, "What do you want Inika?" Inika turned around sharply and replied, "What do I want?! As I recall I was here first." Itachi continued to look at her and said, "You're not wearing your shades?" Inika got up and replied, "They broke. I'm leaving."
Without thinking Itachi grabbed her hand. Inika stood there with her hand in his, and waited. Itachi looked at both of their hands and said, "Wait." Inika turned around and replied, "Why, should I wait longer? I've waited for you Itachi, I have and I don't know why." Itachi looked into her eyes and only saw pain and sadness. Itachi said, "Maybe there's something left between us." Inika stood still as he closed the space in one stride. They were so close together and Inika said, "I can't do this, I'm trying to move on and besides it will never work between us Itachi." She pulled away and disappeared into the woods.
She ran down the streets of Konoha with tears streaming down her face. She crashed into Tsunade and both women fell down. Tsunade said, "Hey! Inika what's wrong?" Inika just got up again and continued to run. She stopped at Kakashi's house and opened the door. Kakashi and Jirayia were talking and both turned to look at her. Kakashi's eyes widen as he remembered almost the same scene but with Inika's mother, Nika. Jirayia was there to as well as the Fourth Hokage, Nika's younger half brother.
Kakashi looked into the eyes of his adopted daughter who ran up the stairs to her room. Kakashi was about to get up but Jirayia said, "Leave her be. She doesn't want to be bothered." Inika fell on the bed and cried herself to sleep. She woke up at dawn and stared at herself in the mirror before going to the bathroom to take a shower. She changed into another ANBU uniform and put another pair of shades on. Before she left the room she grabbed her red ribbon.
Walking into the living room she saw Hinata sitting down in one of the seats. Hinata smiled at her and said, "Tsunade said to go with you today." Inika nodded, Hinata was studying to be an ANBU but never went with her before. Hinata's hair had grown and now went between her shoulders and her back. Inika shrugged and said, "Let's go then." They walked out of the house to see Naruto. Hinata blushed and said, "Hi Naruto-kun." Naruto looked up at her and replied, "Hey Hinata. Wow your hair looks really nice long." Hinata blushed even more and Inika said, "So Naruto what do you want?" Naruto replied, "Just updating you. Kakashi, Sakura, and I are now a three man team and Granny Tsunade wants us to go to Sand because Kankuro got poisoned and we need Kakashi. Kitsune already left when she heard they kidnapped Gaara." Inika nodded and stepped to the side so Naruto could go in. Inika said, "Hinata cool your face, you look like an idiot." Hinata covered her face and Inika said, "Let's go."
Inika made her rounds and felt Itachi's presence near by. Hinata said, "What's wrong Inika? I thought you would be happy that Naruto's back." Inika suddenly felt Itachi's presence leave and she replied, "Hey Hinata, I really don't want to talk about it right now. I fell somewhat ill actually and the rounds are pretty easy so if you need help ask TenTen, okay? I'm going home and lying down." Hinata looked worried and Inika continued, "I'll be fine. Go along now. Oh, one more thing, can you tell Granny Tsunade for me?" Her hands made brushing away signals and she smiled as she said it. Hinata nodded and replied, "Ok. Should I check up on you later?" Inika shook her head and said, "I'm not resting in my house so don't worry about it." Hinata nodded and walked away. Inika sighed and walked towards the Uchiha Mansion. She let herself in and walked through the empty house and found Itachi's room. Inika laid down on his bed and drifted off into sleep.
Inika woke up to see Jirayia hovering over her. She said, "What's wrong Jirayia?" Jirayia shook his head and said, "That's what I should be asking you. Why are you here?" Inika looked out the window and replied, "I can truly be alone here." Jirayia said, "The last place he would expect you to be? You don't have to worry about him, dear; he's to busy fighting Kakashi, Naruto, Sakura, and the Hidden Village of Sand's shinobi." Inika looked up at him with pain in her eyes and said, "I have to stop him." She got up and Jirayia replied, "Inika! Get back here; Inika!"
Inika didn't hear him as she ran out of Konoha towards Itachi's chakra. She always could sense Itachi if he was close to her. Eternal Dawn gave her speed and she found Itachi with Kakashi, Naruto, Sakura, and the old lady like Jirayia said. Inika didn't stop as they began attacking each other and got between them wrapping her arms around Itachi. Tears flowed from her face as she buried her head into his chest. Itachi dropped his kunai and wrapped his arms around her. Sakura, Naruto, and Kakashi's kunai pierced into her back. Inika cried out in pain but she kept her arms locked around Itachi. The old lady was about to attack but Kakashi said, "No! That's my daughter!" The old lady looked at Kakashi then at the two and said, "Then get your daughter off of him!" Itachi stroked her head and said, "Why?" Inika looked up at him and said, "Because I love you, you big dumb head." Itachi ran his hand through her hair and replied, "I love you too Inika." He reached down and kissed her. The old woman said, "You got to be kidding me." Inika pulled away from him and said, "If you love me then stop this nonsense." She stared into his eyes and then fainted into his arms.
