A week has passed since the Ino-Shika-Cho hang out and Kai has gone back to taking missions again. Of course, Lord Hokage decided to have her take it easy by making her do D-Rank missions that were around the village. Having no objections to the Hokage's wishes, Kai has been doing those missions for the past few days now, which Naruto and Sasuke would sometimes interrupt her in the middle of her missions unknowingly.

Walking out of the Hokage's building, Kai stretches her arms high above her head before putting her hands in her pockets. As she walked with no destination in mind, she looked up at the bright blue sky. White fluffy clouds could be seen floating themselves up there. Watching as the clouds floated by, the memory of her time with Itachi and Shisui flashed itself before her eyes.

~Flashback~

It was a beautiful day in Konoha. A six-year-old Kai, a ten-year-old Itachi, and a thirteen-year-old Shisui were out on the training grounds in the Uchiha compound. It was another day of hard training labor and they were all out of breath and chakra.

Once she caught her breath she laid herself flat out on the grass, closing her eyes and sighing in happiness when the wind caressed her sweaty face. She then felt two bodies lay themselves beside her. Opening her eyes, she watches the clouds float by in the clear blue sky.

"So Kai, you think you're ready for the Chunin Exam?" asked Shisui, turning his head so he could see her.

She smiled broadly at them, "Yup! I definitely know that I'll pass the exam with flying colors!"

Itachi smiled, "You mean like a "Yellow Flash"?"

Having nothing to say about that, she laughed.

Chuckling, Shisui put a fist out in front of her, "You'll do fine. Especially with your father's technique, nothing and anyone can beat you. Well... in speed anyway."

Smiling, she put her fist out to bump his, "Thanks, Shisui."

A third fist came and connected with theirs, "We'll cheer for you in the final round," said Itachi.

The three friends look at each other with smiles on their faces, happy that they all had each other.

~End of Flashback~

That felt like so long ago to her. Then again, it was so long. She was now eleven, a high ranked Jounin, and the village was peaceful and quiet as can be. Though she wasn't too sure about the Shadows of Konoha.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard the village children insults;

"Ew! Look, a bug is coming out from him!"

"Gross!"

"That's disgusting! Let's stay away from him you guys!"

The other kids agreed with the one who spoke and they all started running in a direction together.

Watching them go, Kai looked over to see who it was and saw a little boy; who was wearing a huge coat with the hood over his head, a vest with a huge collar that hides his mouth, gray pants, blue sandals, and sunglasses.

She knew right away that this kid was an Aburame from the Aburame Clan. The clan that specializes in the tracking and locating field alongside with the Hyuuga and Inuzuka Clan.

The Aburame kid looked up at her and bowed, "Hello, Kai."

Smiling at his politeness, she replied, "Hello. What's your name?"

"Shino... Shino Aburame."

She hummed, "It's nice to meet you, Shino." Looking at the direction where the kids ran off, she asked, "By the way, if you don't mind me asking, what was that all about?"

He looked away from her, "It's nothing."

"It didn't look like nothing."

When he didn't answer, she looks back down at him and saw his hands clenched before hiding them in his pockets. He then brought one of them back out and held it up to her. Wondering what he was trying to show her, she bent down to get a closer look.

Just then, a couple of beetles came crawling out of his sleeves and onto his hand. Looking at it closely, Kai could tell that, just like every of the Aburame clan, they all have different kinds of bugs living inside of them.

She smiled, "Heh~ Seems pretty cool. What are these one call?"

His eyebrows rose a bit, making her think that his eyes probably widen in surprise at her words. Looking at the bugs on his hand, he answered, "Kikaichū."

Seeing a bench next to a store building, she guided them to sit there. He silently followed.

Once seated, Kai looked at him and his bugs that were still on his hands, "You know, you shouldn't let their words get to you, Shino."

He nodded, "I know."

It was quiet between the both of them until Shino made his bugs go back into his sleeves and look up at her, "Is it really that weird to have bugs live in your body?"

Looking at him, she gave a wry smile with a sweatdrop, "I wouldn't know since I'm not an Aburame. But if you're asking if it's weird for others than maybe." She then shrugs, "For me, I don't really see it as weird or anything. I actually think you and your clan are pretty cool to learn how to control bugs."

He looked down at the dirt, "Father said that it's not about controlling, but rather more of an exchange."

"For the bugs to live in your body as a host and eat your chakra while they do your bidding, right?"

He nodded.

Putting a hand on his head, he looked up at her as she smiled down at him, "Don't let what others say get you down just because it's a part of who and what you are, Shino. As long as there are others who accept you, bugs and all, that's good enough."

Even though she couldn't see his smile because of his huge collar, she could tell that he smiled with his nod.

"Shino!"

Looking at the person who had called out for him, they both saw Shibi Aburame, Shino's father, who was standing a couple of feet away from them.

Shino stood from his seat, "Dad." Shibi walked to stand in front of them.

Standing up, Kai greeted him, "Hello Shibi."

Turning to her, he nodded a greeting, "Lord Namikaze." He then turns his attention back to his son, "Come Shino. We got lots of things to do."

Not arguing with him, Shino nodded. Before they could leave, he turns and bows, "It was a pleasure talking with you, Kai."

Smiling, she raised a hand out, "You too, Shino."

Shibi bowed to her as well before both father and son left her alone. Bringing her hand down, she looks at the direction where they had left.

'So... That was Shino Aburame. The kid that Danzo almost recruited to be in Root,' she thought.

Her hands tighten, remembering a couple of years ago of when Lord Hokage had informed her of Danzo recruiting an Aburame child.

Shibi had barged in on that day when Sarutobi had just told her the news. To say he was furious was an understatement. Though they couldn't see his facial expression of how angry he was, they could see his rage when they saw his clenched fist and harsh breathing. He was in grief, anger, and worried when he had told them of what Danzo had wanted.

When Kai heard his words of having full authority to take his son as he pleases, she had begged Lord Third to let her confront Danzo herself. But Sarutobi knew that she still had issues with the man and refused.

The next day after that incident, the Hokage had informed her that Torune Aburame, had decided to give himself up so that Shino wouldn't live a lonely life.

Kai had remembered meeting Torune once. It was a complicated meeting seeing as how he wasn't able to control his bugs, but they met and chatted nonetheless. He was a nice kid, even though he was older than her. A kid that wished to be friends with others, but thanks to his lack of control, he couldn't be anywhere near anyone.

She had just wished that she could've done something. Anything so that no kids would be recruited by Danzo just so that they could be in his sick Root Anbu.

Sighing, the young Namikaze knew that she wouldn't be able to do anything at all. There will always be someone to sacrifice their life just to keep that one important person or people safe. And there will be nothing she can do about it.

/

Going back on her walk, Kai walked aimlessly again and wonder what she should have for dinner tonight. Yawning, she was stopped when she heard a whine. Wondering where it was coming from, she followed the sound until the whining got louder and she could hear some growls along with it.

Listening around, she noticed that it was coming from an alleyway. Curious, she walked towards the entrance of it and saw three big dogs pushing, scratching, and biting a smaller one.

Whether if they were humans or animals, the strong had no right to pick on the weak. And by watching this scene in front of her, reminded her too much of a certain kid brother of hers.

Picking a rock nearby her, she threw it straight and harsh at a German shepherd dog that was about to take a huge bite out of the smaller one. The dog yelped in the pain, shaking its head, before turning its attention to her. The other two followed its sight and growled directly at her as well.

Slowly walking towards them, the dogs growled got even louder until she was only a few feet away. She glared at them, "Leave. Now."

Their growls stopped in an instant when they saw her eyes change red slit fox eyes. Feeling the dangerous air that was emitting from her, they whined in fear before dashing out of the ally on the other open side.

Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath to calm herself down before opening them back up to blue cobalt eyes and quickly went to the injured dog.

When she got near it, she noticed that it was an injured pup. She frowned at how bad those mature dogs had wounded it. Deciding not to waste any time to inspect its injuries, she got her handkerchief out from her pouch and wrapped it to secure the best she could around the small pup. Standing, she started running straight towards the Inuzuka compound where they take care of all animals but mostly specialize in dogs.

It didn't take her long to get there. Running up to the building with the vet sign, she opened the door and was instantly greeted by loud shouts.

"What do you mean you can't find him anywhere?! I told you that he's your responsibility and that you have to take good care of him. And now I'm hearing that you lost him?!"

"Well, he was with me until he just suddenly up and started running off out of nowhere!"

"Um... Excuse me..."

"Than you should be out there looking for him. Not in here whining to me that you lost him!"

"Excuse..."

"You don't think I've had?! He's my best friend, mom. And now I don't even know where he could be..."

"Excuse me," Kai finally made herself heard when their shouts finally lowered.

The woman, who was behind the bar counter, arguing with her son, looked over at her with an apologetic smile, "I'm sorry you had to see that, Lord Namikaze. So, is there something I can help you with?"

Walking up to her, she nodded, "Yes, I found this pup being beaten by three very large mature dogs in the middle of an alleyway."

When the boy heard her saying that she found a pup, he quickly went up to her, "Is it Akamaru?!"

Turning to him so he could move the handkerchief off of the pup's head to take a better look, his eyes widen, "It is Akamaru!" He then takes the pup out of her arms and carefully carried it as he rushed towards his mother, "Mom! It's Akamaru! He's hurt!"

Seeing how injured it was, Tsume quickly and carefully took it out of his arms and shouted for her daughter, "Hana! We need to treat Akamaru. Quickly!"

Hana came running out of a room when she heard her mother's shout. Rushing into the room, her eyes widen in excitement when she saw Kai standing at the front desk, "Kya! Lord Namikaze! W-what are you doing here?"

"He's the one who brought Akamaru here. You can admire him later, we have to treat Akamaru's injuries, now!"

Hana reluctantly took her eyes from the young lord but gasped when she saw the small pup's condition.

Without any more delays, they took it to another room and closed the door behind them.

Seeing as how the pup was now in good hands and back to his owner and family, Kai was about to head on back out until the boy stopped her, "Hey... uh, Kai?"

Turning to him, she hummed, "Yes?"

He rubbed the back of his neck, "Thanks for bringing him back home."

She nodded, "You're welcome."

"So uh... what was he doing with those big dogs anyways? When you found him... I mean."

Seeing at how nervous he was, with his constant fidgeting and many glances at the door where his mother and sister had gone into to treat the young pup, she answered, "Think of it as three big bullies picking a fight with someone smaller than them. It's not much of a fair fight, now is it?"

His eyes widen at her answer, "Wait, so you mean Akamaru was fighting against three big dogs?" He then smiles widely at her, "Did he win?"

His smile disappeared when he saw nothing but a dull look on her face. Not understanding what was wrong, he asked, "Is something wrong...?"

Humming, Kai kneeled on one knee in front of him, "You're Tsume's son, so you must be Kiba, right?"

Excited that the young Jounin knew his name, Kiba smiled, "Yeah! The one and only!"

Smiling at his excitement, she smiled yet still kept her seriousness, "Kiba, what does fighting mean to you?"

"Whoever's the strongest win, right? That's why, when I grow up. I'm going to be the strongest than anyone else!"

She mentally frowns at his naivety, "That may be true, but even the weak can become strong. Did you know that?"

He frowns, "Yeah right." Then smirks, "Naruto's in my class. He's so weak that he pretty much sucks at everything on being a ninja. I highly doubt that he'll become strong one day since he keeps going on and on about becoming Hokage one day."

His hands slapped over his mouth, knowing right away that it was wrong of him to bad talk about the young blonde. Especially in front of the very person who considered him as a little brother.

Slowly looking up at the sunset haired Jounin, he had expected for her to be angry at him. But instead, he just received a smile with her ruffling his hair before standing back up on her feet.

"Who knows. He might even surprise you one day, Kiba."

Turning to the door, she then starts to head on out, "Well, it was nice meeting you kid."

Watching her in awe, he finally snapped out of it and ran to hold the door open before it could fully close behind her. Kiba shouted with a bow when she was a couple of feet away from the building, "Thank you for bringing Akamaru back home, Kai!"

His only response back from the girl was a raised hand.

/

"It was nice talking to you Iruka."

Waving at the academy teacher, Kai left the Dango shop and was about to head on home to take a nap since there wasn't anything else for her to do. Naruto had left her alone today because he had wanted to try and make friends at the park while Sasuke had wanted to be left alone.

Thinking about them made her wonder how their training has been going. Naruto's taijutsu and shurikenjutsu were coming along nicely the last thing she remembered. Though his speed and basic ninjutsu could still use some work.

Sasuke, well, he was pretty much a prodigy like Itachi. His taijutsu, shurikenjutsu, and ninjutsu were flawless, though still need to work a bit on his ninjutsu's, she just wished that he would open up to others around him instead of keeping to himself all of the time.

She was soon brought out of her thoughts when she heard a bird's cry. Looking up at the sky, she saw one flying straight down at her. Bringing an arm out, she noticed that it was a messenger bird. It latched itself onto her outstretched arm before bringing a leg up. There on its foot was a small scroll. Grabbing it, she started reading;

"Kai Namikaze,

I would like to invite you for dinner tonight if it is not too much trouble during your busy schedule.

Hiashi Hyuuga"

Her eyes widen at the sender's name. Hiashi was a very stern and strict man who rarely likes others outside of his clan. So to receive an invitation from him was quite rare. Petting the bird on the head, she sent it back into the sky to let it return to its owner. Deciding to accept the Head Hyuuga's invitation, she started to make her way to the Hyuuga compound.

Arriving at the main Hyuuga household, Kai raised a hand and knocked on the door. It didn't take long until it was slid open by none other than Hiashi's wife.

She smiled when she saw the young sunset blonde, "Lord Namikaze, my husband told me that you might come over."

Smiling politely, Kai replied, "Yes, I just got his invitation a while ago."

Making way for her at the door, the older woman invited her in, "Please, come in. My husband is training with some of the branch house right now."

Nodding, the young blonde entered the house and took her shoes off before following the older woman to where Hiashi is. It didn't take them long until they got there.

Sliding the door open, Kai noticed that they had entered a very spacious dojo. There in the middle of the room, were two Hyuuga members sparring with each other, their Byakugan activated. Watching how they fought, she saw how they kept trying to strike each other at certain points on their body.

She turned her attention from them when Hiashi's wife announced her presence to her husband, "Dear, Lord Namikaze is here."

Halting the two who were sparring, Hiashi had them take a break as he walked over to her. He put a hand out to shake as he smiled, "It's great of you to come, Kai. I thought for sure you wouldn't accept my invitation."

Smiling, she shook his hand, "It's quite rare for you to invite someone out of your clan so of course, I'll accept your invitation, Hiashi."

Chuckling, he gestured for her to where there was a little girl, who looked about Naruto's age; with short hair and wearing dark blue training garments, sitting next to a boy who looked to be her age with long hair; also in training garments but with bandages wrapped around his forehead. Following as he asked, Kai went over to where they sat. She had also noticed that Hiashi's wife had left them a while ago once she was brought to the man.

Standing in front of the two children, Hiashi introduced the two to her, "I would like for you to meet my daughter, Hinata, and my nephew, Neji."

Looking at the two, she watches as the two got up from their seat and bowed, "It's very nice to meet you, Lord Namikaze."

The girl, Hinata, smiled softly at her while trying really hard not to fidget in front of her father's gaze.

While the boy, Neji, had a stern and calm face but his eyes. His eyes told a whole different story. Kai could tell right away that there was respect when he had bowed to her and yet, a deep hatred that was shown within it. She knew that the feeling wasn't for her. Rather, it was for someone else. Who it was for, she does not know.

She smiled, "It's nice to meet the both of you as well."

"Kai, since you're here early before dinner time, would you like to observe?" Hiashi asked.

Her eyes widen at his offer, "Are you sure, Hiashi?"

He chuckled, "Yes."

With that said, he made her take a seat next to Hinata and have two other Hyuuga's take a stand against each other. She watched as they start to spar and focused closely at their stances.

Watching his clan spar, Hiashi had kept his eyes on the young Jounin and mentally hummed to himself when he saw how focused she was on them.

"You seem to be very focus, Kai."

Not losing her focus on the sparring, she answered, "When I have first arrived here, I have noticed how some of them always strike at some certain spots. My guess is, those must be where the chakra points are."

He smiled at her close observation, "You are correct about that, Kai." A thought then came to mind, "Would you like to spar against one of them?" His question surprised not only his daughter and nephew but everyone else that was in the room.

Looking at him, the young Namikaze looked at him in disbelief, "Are... you sure?"

His silent nod was her only answer. Sighing, she nodded, agreeing.

Getting up from her seat, Kai went to stand in the middle of the room, waiting for the opponent that the older man will choose. When he nodded to a certain Hyuuga, the man, who Hiashi has chosen, nodded without any argument and went to stand in front of the young sunset blonde.

He gave a hand signal, telling them to start whenever they are ready.

The two looked at each other before giving the hand signs of a sparring battle, accepting the match between them.

Memorizing the stance of the Hyuuga style, the young Jounin moved to a stance that she thought was defensive.

Hiashi, as well as the other members who were there, eyes widen in surprise when they saw her stance. Her stance on the Hyuuga style was flawless seeing as how she was in the correct position. Although it was good, can she use this in a spar against another Hyuuga?

Mentally humming to himself, the older man wanted to see how well this played out and decided to let them continue.

The other Hyuuga, who was her sparring partner, shook out of his shock and became serious. Taking his stance, he shot himself straight forward towards her. Blocking the palm that was aiming for her chest, Kai slapped his hand away and started to counter right back.

As the spar against the two kept going, Hiashi was truly surprised by how well the young Lord can do their style. Though there were a bit of mistakes on where she aimed at, but it's to be expected. She isn't a Hyuuga so of course, she wouldn't know where the chakra points are. But then again, Hiashi thought that it was probably by her close observation of the sparring earlier that she memorized some of the chakra points.

Quite impressed by her, an idea came to his mind. Though he will never allow it. He thinks maybe just this once, he'll let is slide since Kai herself has proved to him.

Neji, the branch member, nephew, and cousin to the main, tightened his fists on his lap as he watched the sparring match. He couldn't believe how easily the sunset blonde made it look like. The man who she was sparring against had many years of battle and yet, she made it look easy to take him down. No, he knew that there will be some others who will be strong and others who are mere failures. And yet, for some reason, just by watching her fight against one of their own and not once losing a breath, just made him angry. Angry, yet respect for her.

The sparring between the two finally ended when Kai grabbed the man's arm, that was about to hit her and threw a full out gentle fist close to his chest. The man was breathing heavily, knowing that he was outmatched.

Standing up straight, she let go of the man's arm and smiled with two fingers held out to close the match, "It was a nice match. You're quite an opponent."

Finally catching his breath, the man smiled and shook her outstretched fingers, "You as well, Lord Namikaze. I hope to spar with you again."

Still smiling, she nodded before letting go, watching as he and the other Hyuuga members were dismissed by their Head Leader.

Once they have all left, Hiashi told the two children to go and freshen up a bit before dinner. Without any argument, they left and did as they were told.

When they are finally alone, he turned to the young Jounin, "Kai, I would like to speak to you privately. If you may."

Wondering what he wanted to talk about, she nodded. Nodding at her acceptance, he started taking them to another room. A traditional one with tatami mats and the Hyuuga family name on a board on one side with a bunch of flowers for decoration on either side.

He gestured for her to sit on a zabuton that was on the mat. Doing as he silently asked, she sat facing the man as he sat on another one in front of her.

"Kai, may I ask how long you have learned the Hyuuga style? Usually, it takes years of training for us to at least perfect it. Yet, it seems to me that you have learned it within the few minutes that you have been here. Even though there were some flaws, it was nearly perfect."

Humming in thought, Kai answered, "It's probably because I have watched how some of the Hyuuga members fought. It's not just only today. There were some of the times where I would be partnered up in a squad by the Hokage with a Hyuuga." She shrugs, "By watching and learning how they move, I pretty much memorized it."

Chuckling, she rubs the back of her head, "Though it's not as easy as you think it was for me. I knew that there were some flaws like maybe my footing or where I was aiming, but it's to be expected."

He smiled, "Yes. It was to be expected. But this isn't what I wanted to talk to you about."

Confused, she asked, "Than what is it?"

"I would like to arrange a marriage. An engagement more so."

She was shocked and completely confused by the sudden proposal. Wondering where this had come from, she asked, "Lord Hiashi... may I ask why the sudden proposal?"

Understanding that she was confused, he answered, "It was during when I was watching your sparring session. Though you may have some flaws, I have also noticed that you would make a great Head of the Hyuuga Clan some day. You have pretty much learned some of the stances flawlessly."

"Yes. By watching and memorizing. But I had never done it until now. I only did it because I thought it would be an unfair advantage if I fought my way. So, I... decided to try out the Hyuuga style instead."

"And yet it was nearly perfect. Kai, if you keep practicing and learning the Hyuuga way, I know you will be perfect to become the next Head by marrying my daughter, Hinata."

Knowing that she wouldn't be able to argue with the stern man, she took a deep breath before slowly exhaling. She then bows to him, "I thank you for the proposal Hiashi. But I would have to deny."

Not all that surprised by her denial of the arranged marriage, he asked, "May I ask why?"

Sitting back up straight, she looked at him in the eyes, "I would not like to take away the happiness of your daughter. I think she would very much like it if she herself can choose her own lover when she grows up. It's not right for me nor you to choose and seal her fate for a life that she might be unhappy with. So Hiashi, I will have to deny your proposal."

Humming to himself, Hiashi knew that he could not argue with the young Jounin. She was right, even if he did propose an arranged marriage for his eldest daughter, she would most likely deny. Even though she is still young.

Sighing, he finally nodded, "I will gladly accept your denial, Kai."

He was then interrupted by a knock. They turned to see who it was when the person slid the tatami door open. Hinata could be seen as she shyly hid behind the door, "Father, Lord Namikaze, Mother said that dinner is ready and to come and eat."

Nodding, Hiashi got up from his seat, "Well then, shall we go and eat, Kai?"

Standing up as well, she nodded.

/

Dinner with the Head Hyuuga family was quite eventful. Hiashi would sometimes bring up subjects of how her missions are going and see how the other Hyuuga members are performing well on their missions. She answered honestly to him, saying how the Hokage had decided to have her take it easy for a couple of weeks since she had come back from the Sand Village a couple of days ago. And the Hyuuga's were doing just fine on their missions.

Once dinner was finally done, Kai had bowed to the family and started to make her way out to the front door. Putting on her shoes, she was about to open the door until a quiet and soft voice could be heard.

"U-umm, Lord Namikaze."

Turning to the voice, the young Jounin looked down and saw Hinata standing there in front of her. The young girl was fidgeting, having her hands intertwined while pushing her thumbs together.

She smiled at her shyness, "Did you need something, Hinata?"

Looking up at her, Hinata quiet yet loudly said, "Thank you! For... for not agreeing with Father's proposal."

Chuckling, Kai put a hand on her head, "You're welcome, Hinata. Everyone needs to have their happiness. Including you. So don't ever give up on your happiness, okay? And don't ever give up on Naruto either."

Her pale cheeks lit up a bit red when Kai had said the last part to her but nodded in agreement.

Giving her head a pat, the young Jounin started out for the door, leaving the young girl smiling.

/

The day at the Academy, Kiba was sitting next to Shino with a bandaged Akamaru sleeping in his sweater. The former telling the latter that he got to talk to Kai the other day.

"If it wasn't for Akamaru, I may have never met him. Heck, I'm surprised I even got to talk to him!"

The young Aburame was playing with his bugs as he listened and decided to speak up, "I got to talk to him as well. He wasn't scared of my bugs like some others do. He said that they were pretty cool."

Kiba looked at him skeptically, "Seriously? We always see so many bugs. I doubt that he was that impressed."

"D-don't say that, Kiba. I'm sure he was definitely impressed by your bugs Shino," a soft voice interrupted, making the two to look behind them.

They saw that it was Hinata, the always and usually quiet girl, was the one who spoke up.

"Really? Have you met him before Hinata?" Kiba asked, surprised that the quiet girl actually spoke up.

She nodded, smiling, "My father had him come over to our place the other day for dinner. He was really nice. So I know for sure that he was very impressed by Shino's bugs."

The hooded boy smiled at her, "Thank you, Hinata."

Just then their sensei dismissed them all, telling them that they can all go home now. Excited that the day was finally over, all of the kids rushed out of the academy and went to look for their relatives that came to pick them up. As the three walked out of the Academy together, they noticed that a certain blonde kid was looking around among the adults.

He held a sadness on his face when he couldn't find them until someone called out to him.

"Naruto!"

They watched as the blonde perked up at the familiar voice and smiled brightly when they saw the very person whom he was looking for.

He ran towards the person, "Kai!"

Running to the sunset blonde, Naruto hugged her tightly as he buried his face into her stomach before looking up at her, "I thought you wouldn't come today?"

She smiled softly at him, "I would always come for you, Naruto. You know that."

He smiled broadly at her and nodded, "Yeah, I know!"

Seeing someone else caught her eyes, Kai waved, "Sasuke!"

The trio turned their head to see the raven boy as he quietly walked over to them. Narrowing his eyes at the energetic blonde, he looks up at the girl and nodded in acknowledgment.

"Kai."

As the three talked among themselves, Naruto being the loudest and arguing with Sasuke, they all started to walk away from the Academy.

Watching the three, Kiba was the first to speak up, "You know, I just noticed that those two are very happy when they're with him."

The other two nodded, agreeing with him.

Hinata smiled as she watched Kai carrying Naruto on her back while holding a reluctant yet not arguing Sasuke's hand as they all walked together away from the Academy.