"Hikari, are you aware that your father had many friends?" Kakashi asked.
"Yeah, Ibiki said that earlier. What does it have to do with anything?" she asked.
"A lot of things really. Not only am Gai and I 'rivals' as he says. He had another rival too. Mainly someone he couldn't stand was stronger than him yet still good friends."
"He was a part of that stupid rivalry you guys have?"
"Actually he started it with Gai. Gai also had liked your mother."
"You make it sound like my mom was the eye candy of the village." Kakashi laughed.
"She was an excellent kunoichi, I'll give her that. Her people skills though… they could have used a little work. She wasn't a social butterfly like your dad. She was quiet until you actually got to know her. Like Kimiko is."
"What are you getting at Kakashi?"
"When Gai brought up liking your mother, your father brought it up. It went from a verbal fight to a physical one. I decided to jump in before they got themselves really hurt. I knew how your mother felt about Hikarou; and I decided if I had the chance, I'd help him out."
"That ended up putting Gai against you?"
"Yes. Your father was good friends with Gai, Shibi, Asuma, Iruka, and I. Granted Iruka was younger than us all, your mother acted like family to him."
"Wasn't my father also older than you guys?"
"By about four or five years yes; but he acted much younger. He was very social, like you. He liked to make people feel better about themselves. He could be arrogant too."
"If my father was so friendly, then why did that…" Hikari didn't even want to finish her sentence.
"I don't know. Nobody knew about it except for the Hokage and Shibi. I guess he saw it coming and didn't want others to worry… I wish I could ask him about it now," Kakashi said. Hikari sighed. Kakashi put a hand on her shoulder and smiled his hidden smile with his eyes closed.
"Back to my story though. When I jumped in to help your dad, it did spark that 'rivalry' between Gai and I; but I didn't really care. My sister was happy I jumped in to help. She liked your father very much," Kakashi said.
"Your sister?" Hikari asked, puzzled. Kakashi nodded.
"Your mother," he said. Hikari stepped back from him.
"But you said- That night at the park- My hair color. You lied?" she asked. He nodded.
"I didn't think it would be important until now. Shibi told me Ibiki was questioning you and then he told me what really happened to them. He felt it was better for me to tell you than Ibiki ask if you knew it."
"Then why did they choose Tsume and Shibi to take care of Kimiko and I? Why not you?"
"I wouldn't be the best person to take care of someone. Shibi and Tsume were on the same team, and well; Shibi had been Hikarou's friend for years. Longer than the rest of us. Same with Reiko and Tsume. Because of Tsume; your mother got the courage to ask Hikarou out."
Hikari didn't know what to say. Kakashi's her uncle, Shibi was best friends with her dad, Tsume friends with her mother, Gai having a rivalry against her father.
"Is that why I was placed on Gai's team?"
"I had asked for them to place you on his the same time Gai asked them to place you on his. They wanted to place you on mine; but I knew you'd distract Sasuke."
"Oh, man what a loser…"
"Funny. He says the same thing about Naruto. Sasuke was the who all the girls attention was focused on. Now you come along; and his attention gets focused on you. As does Shino's, so that's why you weren't placed on team eight. Also Tsume asked Kurenai to ask for her. Is she doing well?" Kakashi asked.
"Yeah. Better than I am at the Aburame's. She's opened up a lot more with Kiba," Hikari said with a smile. Kakashi chuckled.
"I wish Shino would be like his parents though and take those glasses off when he's in his own house. It makes me feel like I'm making him a stranger in his own sanctuary."
"Well, tell him that then. I'm sure he'd understand."
"He seems to be well at that. Is there anything else you wanted to talk about?"
"Your conversation with Gai. About leaving with Jiraiya. I think it's best for you as well. All of the Jounin and most of the Chuunin know what is inside of you by now. Most of the Genin don't and we could keep it that way for a bit longer until it's time to explain. Just don't do something you will regret doing later." Hikari nodded and hugged him. To her surprise, he hugged back.
"You should get back to the Aburame's. There's a beetle on your shoulder. No doubt it's one of theirs."
"Most likely Shino's… Shibi saw me leave. I'll talk to later then," Hikari said, walking away. Kakashi waved, before pulling out his little orange book and walking away while reading.
When Hikari walked inside, Shibi was sitting on the couch reading a book while drinking tea.
"Hi," she said. He just nodded.
"Dyed your hair I see," he mentioned.
"Yeah… Ibiki is on my case about what I pulled earlier. Oh and how could you keep that Kakashi is my uncle from me?" she shouted, turning back to look at him.
"I figured he should be the one to tell you. If he told you this early, that means Ibiki was going to tell you things you don't need to know now. In time, things will be clear."
"You…! Ugh! Whatever… I'm gonna be upstairs if you need me," Hikari groaned as she walked up the stairs. Shino was laying on his side on his bed, eyes closed. I quietly stepped in and put my hands on my hips.
"Did you bug me Shino Aburame?" I shouted.
"Augh!" he shouted when he jumped and fell out of his bed. He rubbed his head and looked up at her, his dark eyes looking annoyed. Hikari gasped and he realized he didn't have his sunglasses on. He sighed and stood up.
"Yes, I did put a beetle on you. I didn't expect you to be home so early."
"I didn't think you'd fall out of your bed. I don't see why you hide your eyes, their actually nice looking," Hikari said with a smirk. He glared at her lightly.
"I wear the glasses the same reason you dye your hair. It keeps the enemy on their toes as well when they can't read my eyes."
"My hair has nothing to do with that," she defended.
"You just recently dyed it. The reason you went to Kiba's. What color is it really?"
"Like I'm going to tell you."
"You caught me without my glasses."
"Which reminds me. Stop wearing them in your own house. I feel like I'm making you uncomfortable in your own home."
"Well that's ridiculous. I'm perfectly comfortable with you here," he said, taking a step over to close the door. Hikari was questioning his action in her head.
"I just liked to wear them around you at home to annoy you," Shino said with a smirk. She lightly punched his shoulder.
"Jerk…" she said. She's never seen him really act like this before, and it put her nerves on the edge. He had smiled again; but it was soon gone. He put a hand on her shoulder, and she froze up.
"You're the one who seems to be uncomfortable at the moment. What did you and Kakashi talk about?" he asked. He desperately wanted to hold her in his arms and kiss her; but he was afraid it would set her off like it had at Kiba's house the other night.
"Oh um… About my parents… He says my Dad was friends with them all, and the so called rivalry that is going on between Kakashi and Gai started with my dad and Gai liking my mom."
"Really? I'm guessing Kakashi did as well?"
"He defended my dad because he knew my mom liked him."
"Were they close?"
"They were siblings." Shino was silent, disbelief in his eyes.
"Kakashi is… your Uncle?" he asked. Hikari nodded. Shino swallowed and looked at her. There was something in his eyes that made Hikari a little nervous.
"I don't know why my dad would keep that from you... I don't know why he's keeping these things from you honestly. There is one thing I want to explain to you though," Shino said. Hikari nodded and sat down on his bed. He sat next to her as he tried to find the words to put into a sentence to tell her. He would look at her, then look at the floor and his hands. Open his mouth then sigh. Hikari put her hand on his and smiled.
"It must be hard to explain huh?" she asked. He half smiled and nodded. She hugged him.
"Well, whatever it is; you can tell me anytime. Just let me know when you have the words formed," she told him. He hugged back and nodded. Neither of them wanted to let go. Shino knew why; but Hikari didn't know why she didn't. She, finally, felt safe and comfortable. It was strange for her. How could one person just hold her and make her feel so… Warm. They separated and she smiled. He smiled slightly; but then it was gone like usual.
"I'm going to take a shower," Hikari said, getting up. Shino nodded and laid back on his bed. Hikari walked out and went down the hall. She heard someone downstairs talking to Shibi. She quietly walked to the opening of the staircase and listened.
"Look I don't care if it takes years! I'll be back once I know things will be safe. I stay here; I'm screwed beyond belief. I have to go now," the man said.
"I understand; but you have to realize that she wo-" Shibi was cut off by the door slamming shut. The man left. Hikari stepped down and looked at him.
"Who was that?" she asked.
"Hm? Oh, don't worry about it. Just an old idiotic friend. Make what you want for dinner, I'm going to sleep early," Shibi said walking down the hall to his room. Hikari nodded and went back to take her shower.
Kimiko was laying on her bed, staring at the ceiling. She knew that the person who killed her parents was after the bloodline; she just never knew it was someone as horrid as Orochimaru. Hana walked in and sighed.
"Still haven't moved huh? Kiba's shocked about learning what the necklace is keeping back. You sure she's safe at the Aburame's?"
"She's perfectly safe. Shibi knows what to do if something bad happens," Kimiko said as she sat up.
"I meant are you sure she's safe for Shino's sake? Kiba's kinda worried about his best friend."
"She wouldn't hurt Shino. I know that for a fact," Kimiko said with confidence in her voice. Hana smiled and nodded, Kiba was standing behind Hana with a smirk on his face. He poked his head around Hana and smiled.
"I think I know why. I'm going to bed. Night," Kiba said, walking back to his room. Once again, everything was silent.