[CH.4]
(Rini's half)
Two months seem to zoom by. In that time Boruto finally returns to class. His first day back is crazy but memorable. He even gets a bully of the class, Iwabee, to change his way of seeing things.
During the night Rini wakes up out of breathe. Taking deep breathes she feels a hand on her shaking one.
'You okay?' Kiba sits up.
'Just a bad dream. I'll be okay.' Rini touches her stomach as she takes deep breathes.
'Was it about me?' the voice changes to Danzo's.
Rini turns wide eyed as he pushes her down on the bed. Danzo holds her down and begins to strangle her. Rini fights to get free but with no luck. Glancing in the corner she sees a dark snake shadow.
'Good. Feel anger! KILL! Kill and give me your chakra!' it hisses as it continuously moves and changes shape. 'Or maybe I'll take theirs.' it hisses as its fangs move towards her now slightly large stomach.
'No. Not the baby.' Rini tries to scream with no luck. 'No!' she shouts with all her might, throwing the snake back with her firefly green light and popping awake.
"Rini? Are you okay?" Kiba stares over her worried.
Rini's eyes fill with tears as she hugs him close. Unable to stop shaking, all she can do is cry as he holds her. Kiba holds her close as he gently pats her back until she stops shaking.
"I know I had bad dreams while carrying Inari… but this felt so real." Rini lays in his arms. "I could feel everything like your hands in mine." She glances at thier intertwined hands.
"Hey. Danzo is gone. We're safe. You're safe. And I'll remind you as much as you need." Kiba kisses the top of her head.
"HE'S not what scared me." Rini shakes her head slightly. "It was that black snake. It was frightening and gave off a chilling feeling." She shutters as she remembers it.
"You said it was after your chakra or the baby's?" Kiba glances down at her.
Rini nods slowly. "It was terrifying." She tightens her grip on his hand.
"Naruto said a new enemy has been draining peoples' chakra. Maybe you should talk to him about this." Kiba holds her close with his free hand.
"Alright." Rini nods. "Can we stay like this though? Just until I fall asleep." She glances up at him.
"Like I would let you go." Kiba chuckles as he nuzzles her hair.
The next morning Rini takes a happy Inari to school. After dropping her daughter and Ginger off, she heads off with Yoko to the Hokage office.
Rini explains her dream to Naruto and Shikamaru. Understanding she's closer to the spirit world, do to her Sage status, they take her dream to heart. They call Sai to take down a description of the beast.
"So it was always changing shape?" Sai draws the oozing shadow to the best of his ability.
"Yeah." Rini nods. "It felt… like it was just gathering energy. Like a scout gathering intel." She rubs her arms as she remembers the creepy thing.
"Why not take a break? You've given plenty of details for now." Ino hands her a cup of tea.
"Thanks." Rini sips the calming warm liquid.
"How's the baby doing? Any movement yet?" Ino smiles tenderly at her friend.
"Kicking like crazy." Rini laughs touching her belly. "The kids really helped out with the room." She laughs as she remembers the splattered yet nicely done room.
"Why don't you two go looking for baby stuff? We have enough info here." Shikamaru points to a pondering Sai.
"You sure?" Rini glances up at him.
"Go on." Shikamaru shoes them off.
The girls go off to shop for baby stuff. Looking around at the boy section they find a few cute outfits.
After a while they stop by a tea shop to rest. There they meet Kurenai chatting with Konohamaru. The old friends decide to sit with one another.
"How is Mirai doing? Going on many missions?" Rini glances over at Kurenai as their drinks and snacks arrive.
"Yes. And loving every moment of it." Kurenai laughs slightly. "When is your due date?" she glances at Rini's growing stomach.
"December first." Rini touches her stomach lovingly.
"Is it going to be a boy or girl?" Konohamaru snacks on some dumplings.
"Boy." Rini smiles tenderly. "Actually… there's something I would like to ask you two." She glances at them a bit nervously.
"What?" They both stare a bit puzzled.
Rini takes a deep breathe then looks up at them. "Since the due date is the end of the war… Kiba and I were hoping to name him after one of the fallen. And… we were thinking… we would like him to be named Asuma." She has a slightly nervous expression.
The two stare wide eyed for a moment. Ino is frozen as well, having no idea this was coming.
Kurenai reaches her hand over the table to touch Rini's with a soft smile. "That would be a great honor. Thank you." Her eyes shine happily with a slight reflection of remembering her past love.
"I think it's a great idea also." Konohamaru nods with a giant grin.
"The other's will agree too I'm sure." Ino has a soft smile.
"Thank you." Rini bows her head slightly with small drips of tears of joy falling from her eyes.
Once back home she unpacks the new clothes into dressers already set up. Looking over she sees Inari peeking into the room.
Rini motions for the young girl to come in. Inari walks in with Ginger by her feet. They fold clothes but something is clearly on Inari's mind with a distant look in her eyes.
After putting everything away they have a small dinner. Once done with her own, Rini makes a small box for the late working Kiba.
"Are you sure you don't mind bringing this?" Rini hands the wrapped box over.
"Don't worry about it." Inari takes a hold of it. "Hey mom…" her face seems to be in deep thought.
"What is it?" Rini seems puzzled by this look.
"Is it… is it possible to see dark chakra?" Inari seems to be remembering something.
"Dark chakra? What do you mean?" Rini seems even more puzzled.
"It's nothing." Inari shakes her head slightly with a head shake. "I'll be back in a bit." She rushes out the door.
'Dark chakra? Could she mean…?' Rini remembers the oozing figure.
"No. No way." Rini shakes her head slowly with a laugh as she goes to wash the dishes.