Chapter 2: Toys, Letters, and Jealousy.
"Sakura-chan, you shouldn't say such things, they'll not like me!" Said Kaida, holding her hands out to Sakura.
Sakura gripped Kaida's hands in hers and smiled. "Don't worry Kaida-chan, everyone likes you!"
Kaida pulled out of Sakura's hold and struck a fist into a palm. "I've just remembered! I have something for you!"
Kaida disappeared and reappeared, this time with a large bag in her arms.
"And I brought something for your friends, too."
She pulled out a small package and handed things to Naruto, Kakashi and Sasuke.
"Wow, a fox key chain! Thanks!" Shouted Naruto, holding it up.
Sasuke looked down at the pinwheel key chain in his hand. A memory of his childhood erupted into his head. Just like Kimiko-chan. He smiled.
Kakashi peered at the present this small girl had pushed into his hands. It was the gold-collector's edition of Icha Icha Paradisu, signed by the author.
"Thanks." he mumbled, cracking open the book. He didn't look at the book, but rather at Kaida as she handed the rest of the bag to Sakura.
"Just like I promised. The newest fashions from each country!"
"Wai! Thanks so much Kaida-chan!" Said Sakura as she hugged the blushing, silver-haired girl around the neck.
Sakura released Kaida.
"Have you been getting all my letters?" Asked Sakura.
Kaida nodded. "I almost missed the last one as I was leaving Kumo no kuni. I tried to catch up with you in Kiro no kuni but I had just missed you."
Kakashi interrupted here. "Who are you? No one can just go from country to country without permission! Exspecially not if you are from here. Konoha has no treaty with Kumo."
Kaida looked up at him. "What is your level, Master Kakashi?"
Kakashi blushed slightly at this small girl pulling rank on him. "Jou-nin."
"I guessed as much. But for me, as a mihari, I do have permission to go anywhere."
"Mihari?" Asked Naruto.
"Like a spy," Replied Sasuke. "Except mihari can be hired by all of the Kages. They aren't bound to one country."
Naruto put his hands behind his head. "Wow. You guys must be pretty tough!"
Kaida suddenly uttered an "Oh!" and began feeling around on her person.
She pulled out a letter and held it out to Naruto.
"You know Inari don't you?"
Naruto pounced on the letter and tore it open. He smiled and began reading it out loud.
"Dear Big Brother Naruto.
How are you? I'm fine. Now that the 'Great Naruto Bridge' is up, Kiro has gone back to it's normal hustle and bustle. Gramps and Mom say hi and thank you. You'll never believe this! My Dad came home! It turnes out he was a ninja's son and he picked up a few trickes. Gato killed an illusion! My Dad was angry that he couldn't go home until Gato left. The girl I sent the letter with took care of him when he went back to his homeland. She's real nice and is a great cook. When she asked about Sakura-chan I was happy to say that you were here before. Dad and me are as close as ever and we do all the same stuff that we did before he had to leave. We went fishing and I wanted to send some fish with the girl for you but Mom said they would go bad before she got there, so I sent a picture instead!
Write back or come play! Inari.
P.S. Gramps said to tell you that Zabuza and the masked kid's graved were dug up. The urn of ashes and all the weapons we buried with them are gone! Well, just thought it would be of some intrest. Bye Again!
Naruto and Sakura were teary-eyed and everyone gathered around to see the picture.
It showed a broadly smilimg Inari holding a fish as big as he was. Around him stood Tazuna, the bridge builder, Tsunami, Inari's mom, and the smiling man with one arm around Tsunami and the other hand on Inari's head must be Kaiza, Inari's father.
Naruto was blubbering.
"Th...they all look so happy!"
Sasuke scowled at the picture then at the letter, then at Kaida.
"These could very well be fakes."
Kaida scowled at Sasuke.
"Do you think I am a liar?"
Kakashi took the photo and held it in front of Sasuke's face.
"It's real, see? The bridge is completed in the picture. Anyway," Kakashi returned the picture. "Mihari are not permitted to lie unless they are on a mission. If they happen to let a lie out it is easily noticible by anyone."
"So there." Said Kaida smugly.
Sakura tapped the smaller girl on the shoulder.
"Why did you come back? You didn't say anything about why in your last letter."
Kaida's happy air stilled.
"I came to help someone." She said quietly.
"Who?" Pried Naruto.
Kaida mumbled something.
"Who??"
"Sakura-chan, do you want to come over for dinner?"
The sudden change in topics startled everyone.
Sakura scratched the back of her head. "Well...um I guess."
Kaida looked to Kakashi, Naruto, and Sasuke.
"I hope you will come too."
Naruto grinned. "Well if Inari says you are I good cook, then how could I refuse?"
Sasuke nodded. "I'll be there, too."
Kakashi looked at his male students. What was that blush on Naruto's face about? And what about that odd glint in Sasuke's eyes? Kakashi was slightly ashamed that he was feeling jealous toward his students.
"Kakashi–san?"
Kakahsi came back out of his little world to see Kaida standing in front of him, her blue eye searching his face.
"Yes?"
Kaida smiled. "Don't be late."
Foo. That felt good to get out of my system! I hope you all liked it! PLEASE REVIEW!!!