Just Talking

Himawari ran into the lobby looking for Kairi. She was looking for the girl in the pink hood, or the girl from her drawing. She had to be there. Himawari wanted to see her, she wanted to see her ever since she learned about her.

Her big brother told her she was alive. Himawari believed him, even if he wasn't always right. Himawari never got to see her, Boruto got to see her, even though he didn't remember her. Himawari wanted to see her too.

Himawari remembered the Chunin Exams. Her brother got in trouble, then bad men came and attacked everyone. She remembered getting knocked off balance, a large piece of the stadium was about to fall on her… but then someone came and protected.

That someone, was her big sister. If she knew, she would have talked to her. She would have… she would have… Himawari didn't know what to do. She wanted to see Kairi.

Himawari then tripped and fell on the floor. Himawari was old enough to not cry when she tripped. But it wasn't the pain from falling that was starting to make her tear up. Her Daddy was missing, her Mommy was hurt, her big brother was sad, and her big sister… wasn't there!

Himawari sat up. She trembled as she began to cry.

"Hey," Himawari looked up to see someone was crouching down next to her. It was an older boy. He had silver hair, blue eyes, and a black jacket. He looked at her worried, "Are you okay?"

"I…" Himawari wondered if she could talk to him. He was a stranger, but she was in a hospital and if she needed help someone would. She was the Hokage's daughter; besides there was something about this boy, "I… I can't find my sister… Mommy woke up and said she was here… but I can't find her…"

"You mean Kairi?"

Himawari looked at him confused, "How did you know? Everyone thinks she's dead."

Riku knew Kairi was going kill him later, but Himawari was so small, and she reminded him of Kairi when she was younger. Riku just wanted to calm her down.

"I'm Kairi's friend," Riku explained, "We grew-up together, and when she decided to come back, she asked me to come with her."

Himawari looked at him curiously, "Are you her boyfriend?"

Riku laughed, "No, I'm just her friend. That position has been filled."

"Then, do you know where Kairi is?" Himawari asked.

"I do, but Kairi wants to show herself on her own," Riku explained.

That just made Himawari more sad, she looked down as she cried, "Why doesn't she want to see me?" Was that it? Did Kairi not like her?

"Hey, hey," Riku gently moved Himawari's face to look back up, before wiping her tears, "Don't say that. Kairi wants to see you. She traveled a long way because she wanted to meet you," Riku explained, "When she learned you existed all she wanted was to find you. She hated that missed you being born and missing everything you did. She talked about it almost every day."

That made Himawari's expression lighten a little, "Really?"

"Yeah," Riku nodded, "If anything, she's afraid you won't like her."

"Why would she think that?"

"She thinks she failed. Kairi isn't a ninja, but she is powerful. But she wasn't able to save your Dad. She's upset about it."

"It wasn't her fault," Himawari said.

"I know," Riku explained, "But I'm going to help her save your Dad," Riku helped Himawari up, "Listen, why don't you go back to your Mom. She must worried, and Kairi's worried about your Mom too. I promise after we save your Dad, she'll come talk to you. I'm supposed to keep her from running away after all."

"You promise?" Himawari asked.

"Yeah," Riku nodded as he patted her head, "I promise."

Himawari reluctantly began going back to her mother's room. Riku turned to exit the hospital to find Kairi. Little did he know, someone listened to the whole thing.

"Did you hear that?" Sarada asked ChoCho.

"I did, his name is Riku," ChoCho said, "A handsome and mysterious name, for a handsome and mysterious guy."

"Not that," Sarada said, "The part about Kairi."

"I did hear. He said he wasn't her boyfriend."

"Look, let's just follow him. If he knows where she is, we'll find her."

"Yeah, let's follow the hot guy!"

%%%%%

Kairi looked at Sasuke, "Don't sound so happy," she said sarcastically, "You'll make me cry."

"Do you remember me?" Sasuke asked.

"No," Kairi lied, "Am I supposed to know you?" Well, it wasn't a total lie. Kairi only saw him once; she had no idea what he was like or what he could do.

"He's Uncle Sasuke," Boruto introduced behind her, "He used to be Dad's rival."

Kairi looked him over. This guy could rival her Dad? Kairi activated her Byakugan and looked at his chakra more thoroughly. Despite having one arm, he definitely had strong chakra. There something strange about his left eye though. The chakra in it was different.

"Where have you been all this time?" Sasuke asked pulling Kairi out of her thoughts and deactivating her Byakugan.

"No, 'you're alive, it's a miracle?'" Kairi asked as she pulled her hood up. She saw some people coming through her Byakugan, "Well, I guess I can't fault you for that, we're strangers. But I'm not supposed to talk to strangers."

"He's Uncle Sasuke," Boruto repeated.

"Not calling him that," Kairi said.

"He's Dad's rival and my teacher," Boruto explained.

The word 'teacher' struck a chord in Kairi, "You're Boruto's teacher?"

"I am."

Kairi narrowed her eyes, "Did you tell Boruto it was acceptable to cheat?"

That question caused the mood to go silent.

"No," Sasuke said. His face emotionless as he said it, but Kairi did notice something in his eyes.

"… but you did know, he was going to cheat." It wasn't a question, but Sasuke did answer.

"I did."

Kairi's expression became icy as she glared at him. Sasuke swore she looked like Neji.

"Kairi it wasn't his fault," Boruto defended, "I didn't tell him and-…"

"A teacher's job is to make sure their student doesn't fall down the wrong path," Kairi declared, "You should have stopped Boruto and now he's lost his rank as a ninja."

"He made his choice."

"He's a kid," Kairi reminded.

"He's a shinobi," Sasuke said, "Actions have consequences, and he wasn't willing to listen to anyone. Some lessons need to be learned the hard way, as I'm sure you're well aware of."

Kairi's glare didn't break, "I am not a shinobi," Kairi began to walk past Sasuke, "But I am aware that actions have consequences."

Sasuke grabbed her arm halting her. Kairi looked back up at him, "Let go!"

"Where will you go?"

"To rescue my father."

"How?"

"I managed to connect with him," Kairi said, "I just need to follow the connection and It will lead me to him."

"You'd be wasting time," Sasuke said, "I'll take you to him."

"What? How?" Kairi asked.

"I can sense him as well," Sasuke explained, "I also have the means to transport their instantly, so I don't recommend you walk away so quickly. Do you think you can fight the Otsutsuki?"

"I'm stronger than I look," Kairi stated. Sasuke didn't doubt that.

"We'll leave soon," Sasuke said, "Meet me on the roof and we'll go then."

"If this is a trick to ditch me," Kairi stated, "I'll find my way there anyway. Keep that in mind."

Sasuke released her. Kairi decided to give Boruto one more hug before she left, "We'll talk more later, after I save Dad."

Boruto hugged her back silently. Kairi then left the room and began to make her way to the roof. She had to move aside for the other four Kage. She kept her face positioned away so they couldn't see her face. Some of them looked familiar.

As Kairi made her way of a flight of stairs, she pulled out her Gummiphone and texted Riku.

%%%%%

Riku pulled out his phone to see the text.

Meet me on roof of Hokage Tower. The red circular building with the kanji for 'fire.' Might have a way to reach Dad. Also, I don't think we'll be going alone.

Riku messaged her to let her know he was coming, but first…

"Okay, you two," Riku called out, "I know you're there. Come out now." Riku didn't sense hostile intent, that was why he didn't attack them. But he needed to know who was following him.

He did hear awkward 'eeps.' From behind a tree. About a minute later two girls came out into the open. One had black hair and red glasses. The other was the girl he saved at the stadium. She was eating a bag of potato chips.

"Hey, you're that girl from the stadium," Riku approached them, "Are you okay?"

She looked at him, wide-eyed. He remembered her!

Riku wondered why she was silent. Maybe she was shy, so he leaned down to their eye level, maybe this would make them more comfortable, "Sorry I had to send you away like that, but I was in hurry. I'm glad you're alright."

ChoCho could barely contain herself. He was concerned for her and he was looking her in the eye. She didn't know what to say; as she mentally panicked, she ate her chips faster, until she ran out. She looked into her empty bag in despair. No, she was going to share her chips with him!

"You," Sarada spoke pointing to Riku, "You know Kairi, right?"

Riku looked at the girl with glasses. He could see by the way she narrowed her eyes that she was trying to be serious, but by Riku's perspective she was a kid and… it was kinda hard to take a kid seriously. Still, he tried.

"Who wants to know?" Riku asked with a smirk.

"I am Sarada Uchiha," she introduced, "And this is ChoCho."

"And what do you want with Kairi?" Riku asked.

"Kairi is the sister of our friend Boruto," Sarada explained calmly, "Boruto has been looking for her for months and you said you know her. We need to find her and reunite her with Boruto."

"It's been done," Riku said.

"What?" Sarada and ChoCho looked dumbfounded.

"A little while ago, I ran into Boruto and pointed him in the right direction," Riku explained, "They should be catching up by now."

ChoCho started looking for an extra bag, she always had extras!

"I'm going to Hokage Tower, I need to go help rescue Kairi's Dad."

Found one. ChoCho held out a bag, but only to find Riku was already walking away.

%%%%%

Kairi paced on the rooftop. Where was Riku and where was Sasuke?

After a little while, Sasuke showed up with the other Kage and Boruto. Needless to say Kairi wasn't happy.

"Why is Boruto here?" Kairi asked.

"He's coming with us," Sasuke said.

"The hell he is!" Kairi snapped. Boruto couldn't handle the Otsutsuki, he was helpless the last time he faced him.

"He is stronger than you think."

"He's still a kid," Kairi reminded.

"You're not exactly an adult yourself," Sasuke countered.

Kairi's face went red with embarrassment, "I-…"

Boruto placed a hand on her shoulder, "I'll be careful," Boruto looked up at her, "I promise."

Kairi opened her mouth to say no.

Say no, say no, say no. COME ON YOU COWARD! SAY NO!

Kairi caved. But she glared as Sasuke, "If he get's hurt, I'm coming after you." Kairi pulled Boruto aside as more ninja appeared on the roof, "Boruto," Kairi began, "The last time you saw them, you froze."

"I know," Boruto said, "Look, I'll… I'll let you and Sasuke and the other Kage fight, I promise. But Sasuke… he believes in me. He thinks me being there will help."

"Boruto…"

"I know," Boruto began, "I know I only showed my uncool side to you. I know you don't have a reason to believe I can do this, but I can. Just let me prove it."

"Boruto, you don't need to prove anything to me," Kairi began, "I love Dad, but not because he's Hokage. He was a normal ninja when I left. I'm proud he's Hokage, but he never had to prove anything, and you don't either."

Boruto looked touched, "But still. I feel I need to be there."

Kairi sighed, "Fine, but you let me do the fighting. Stay at safe distance and if you need me call me!"

"Hey!" Kairi and Boruto looked to see Riku approaching them.

"Riku," Kairi greeted.

"Nice to see you two finally talked," Riku smiled.

Boruto looked between the two teenagers. He looked at Riku with narrow eyes, "Are you Kairi's boyfriend?"

Kairi lightly smacked Boruto's head, "No he isn't."

"Well, he's the second sibling to ask that," Riku said.

"Huh?"

"I met your sister," Riku clarified.

"You did?" Boruto asked.

"How is she?" Kairi asked.

"Your Mom woke up," Riku explained, "She said you were here and your sister went to the lobby looking for you. She broke down into tears when she couldn't find you."

Kairi looked down, feeling bad, "Oh."

"Don't get mad," Riku said, "But I told her you were here, but you were busy. I even promised her you'd talk. It was only way to get her to calm down.

Kairi sighed. She was a little miffed, but if it made Himawari calm down, "I get it, thanks."

Boruto spoke up, "You better talk to her later. She's been wanting to see you, ever since we learned about you."

"I will," Kairi promised. Kairi noticed some of Boruto's friends. Sarada and the one Boruto cheated, "Boruto," Kairi pointed him out.

Boruto noticed, "Shikadai."

"Go apologize to him now," Kairi told him. Boruto was silent as he looked down in shame, "Hey, I'm not asking, I'm telling."

Boruto nodded, and they approached the group.

Shikadai saw Boruto walking towards them, with him was the girl in the hood. Was that really Kairi?

Boruto stood in front of his friend, ashamed. The last time they spoke, Boruto was caught cheating and he all but admitted he cheated in their match. He had no idea what to say.

"Look, Shikadai, I…"

"Don't worry," Shikadai interrupted. Boruto looked at him confused. The air was still tense but Shikadai gave an assuring smile, "You're going through a lot right now. I'll listen to what you have to say later."

Kairi smiled under her hood.

Sasuke then stepped out. He revealed his left eye. Kairi's eyes widened; and she thought her eyes looked freaky.

Soon a portal opened. One that led to her Dad.

The Kage went in first. Just as Kairi jumped in. She heard a voice call out.

"Boruto, Kairi!" Kairi turned just in time to see her Mom and sister appear at the entrance on the roof, but it was too late. The portal was already carrying her away to the next destination.

"Hey," Riku said next to her, "Are you-…"

"We're going to win," Kairi resolved, "Then we'll come back."

"Yeah," Riku nodded, "We will."

Kairi looked ahead. Mom, Himawari. I'm sorry, but I'll come back soon and we'll talk about everything. I promise, but first, I need to find Dad!

The fun begins in the next chapter. Kairi vs the Otsutsuki, Round 2!

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