Chapter Nine

Sakura had finished hearing from Inika that Sasuke has defeated Orochimaru and has a female in his new team that has the hotts for him, Karin. Sakura who was a little bit angry said, "Excuse me." Sakura found a pillow and screamed into it with all her might. Inika only watched and said, "So how's Sai?" Sakura was surprised that Inika even knew about him since he was fairly new. Inika smiled and continued, "Don't give me that look. I almost killed him the first time I saw him." Sakura replied sourly, "Why, because he called you a name like hag?" Inika shook her had and said, "No, he was in the forest and no one tells me anything. I actually think he's afraid of me now." Sakura shrugged and replied, "He's emotionless, and it gets on my nerves." Inika laughed and said, "Ha the days when I was 15. It seems so long ago." Sakura looked at her and replied, "Inika exactly how old are you?!" Inika looked away and replied, "On May 16 I'll be eighteen. Hey that's tomorrow isn't it?" Sakura's mouth dropped and said, "Tomorrow is your birthday and you didn't tell anyone?" Inika shrugged and replied, "I don't care much for it. It's just a day in the year." Sakura said, "I'm hosting you a party." Inika got up and replied, "Good luck, and anyways I got somewhere to be so see you later Sakura." Sakura said, "Bye Inika."

Hinata and Naruto were currently eating ramen together. Naruto talked to her about what happened and some other stuff. Hinata listened intently and put in a comment here and there. When she looked at the sky she gasped and said, "I totally forgot I have to go to Kurenai! Neji is watching her for me so I could come here. Oh no!" Naruto replied, "Don't worry about Hinata. I'll pay and get the rest of the ramen to go." Hinata looked at him and said, "Really, you would do that for me?" Naruto nodded and got everything ready to go. Hinata could only smile and after Naruto paid for the both of them he past her, her ramen setting off to Kurenai's house.

By the time they got there both of them had finished their ramen. Hinata opened the door to see TenTen sitting on the couch with Neji. Neji looked at her and said, "I'm never doing this again." Hinata's eyes got all watery and replied, "I'm so sorry Neji Naruto and I got caught up." TenTen just waved her hand and said, "Don't worry about it. Neji is just being over dramatic." Naruto said, "So where is Kurenai?" Kurenai came in and said, "I'm right here Naruto. You people act like I need a babysitter. I'm pregnant not sick." Hinata replied, "And what about the baby? You can't take it everywhere with you." Kurenai said, "The baby is still a part of me for another month Hinata. I believe I'll be fine." Naruto laughed and replied, "Well you never know Kurenai." Kurenai sat down with a bowl of soup and said, "It's just a child. I mean come on." TenTen smiled and replied, "It's going to be so cute!" Hinata nodded and said, "Oh I can't wait for it to come!" Kurenai smiled a little and replied, "You people are acting like its Christmas now. Well I'm going to go to my room and rest now." Hinata nodded and as she left Kurenai had tears falling from her eyes. Her baby wasn't going to have a father.

Sakura made little cards about Inika's party and gave them to everyone she knew. Kakashi even ended up helping out. Sakura then went and started to decorate Inika's house where they would have the party. Kakashi had a surprisingly big back yard that went out into the woods. Sakura was busy putting up streamers that she didn't hear sounds behind her.

A voice came from the trees, "Where is Kakashi Hatake?" Sakura stopped and replied, "I don't know where Kakashi is, show yourself!" Aoi stepped out from the shadows. Sakura had fought him before and knew he was a strong opponent. Sakura said, "Why are you here Aoi?!" Aoi gave a little smirk and replied, "Kakashi has something that belongs to me." At that moment Kakashi came out and said, 'Sakura what type of balloons do you think I should buy for Inika?" He stopped suddenly and continued, "Why Aoi what a not pleasant surprise." Aoi said, "Where is she?!" Kakashi replied, "Who?" Aoi looked at Kakashi with a glare and said, "My daughter! Nika's child!" Sakura stood dumbfounded and Kakashi replied, "She maybe genetically yours but Nika left you for me. This makes Nika's daughter mine." Aoi's face flared up in anger and said, "When Nika died she should have been mine!" Kakashi then decided to raise his voice and replied, "You, you! Nika had a whole list of people so Inika wouldn't go to you!" Sakura's eyes widen in surprise and she looked at Aoi again. Inika and Aoi didn't resemble each other that much and Sakura made a guess that Inika looked exactly like her mother. At that moment Inika walked behind the house and said, "Dad what's the matter?" Inika was still wearing her ANBU uniform but had her mask off with sunglasses in its place. Inika barely gave Aoi a glance with her eyes on Kakashi waiting for his reply.

Aoi took in the sight of his daughter and was hurt when she barely gave him a glance. Inika asked again, "Dad what's the matter, and who is he?" Kakashi replied, "It's nothing sweetie but please leave." Inika seemed confused and said, "But Daddy." Kakashi gave her a look and Inika continued, "I'll be with Naruto." Inika began to walk away when Aoi said, "Wait!" Inika turned around and replied, "Goodbye sir." She continued to walk away. Kakashi looked at him and said, "Aoi you stay far away from her, do you hear me?!" Aoi continued to look at Inika and only replied, "She looks so much like her mother." Kakashi said, "Aoi leave now!" Kakashi raised his headband to reveal his Sharingan and continued, "Or I will make you." Without another word Aoi jumped back into the trees. Kakashi place his headband back down and looked at Sakura saying, "You do not repeat this to Inika." Without another word Kakashi walked away. Sakura began to put streamers up once again but her mind went back to what happened.

Inika walked around Konoha looking for Naruto but she couldn't find him. Inika sat down on a bench watching the scenery. She almost wished that tomorrow wasn't her birthday. No one cared much anyways but Kitsune and her always did something together on their birthdays. Inika was worried that this might be her first year without her sister there to celebrate. Inika leaned her head against the bench and felt tears fall from her eyes; everything was going wrong.

"Hey, what are you all teary eyed about?" Inika's eyes shot open to see Kitsune leaning over her with only slightly worried eyes. Inika laughed a little and said, "It's nothing. Glad you could come." Kitsune shrugged and replied, "Well Temari said I really needed to take a break and leave Gaara alone for a couple days. I guess I've been smothering a little bit." Inika nodded and said, "I bet." Kitsune looked at her and replied, "So when are you going to tell me what went wrong because you don't sit on a bench and cry everyday unless a lot of bad things happen at once." Inika looked away and said, "Itachi and I are no longer seeing each other at all." Kitsune didn't even try to hide the surprise on her face and she said, "You are refusing to see him at all." Inika nodded and Kitsune replied, "Just don't commit suicide. That would mean more explaining on my part to Kakashi and I already have a speech prepared." Inika laughed and they decided to walk around Konoha for a little while.