"Hello, Inojin!" Sakura cooed at the two years old. "Do you remember me?"

Inojin looked at her, the intensity of the eyes of the toddler is not befitting his age.

"It's okay, Inojin." Sakura cooed, bouncing the boy on her lap.

"A-aunt Sa-" Inojin started to say. "Aunt Sakura!" Inojin finally managed to say, his face lighting up with a smile.

Sakura chuckled, delighted by the toddler's attempt. She nuzzled the boy's cheek and he laughed. Sakura looked at Ino, "You heard that right?"

"Of course." Ino answerd her. "Inojin is a smart little boy." She ruffled her son's blond hair. "How about you, Sakura? Any updates about the kids I'm asking you about?"

Sakura looked at Kakashi before responding. "Not yet. We are not talking about it."

"Kakashi." Ino's voice edge on a warning.

Kakashi sighed, a hint of weariness in his eyes. "Ino, we're taking things one step at a time. We're trying to rebuild our relationship, and we haven't reached a point where we can discuss the future in detail."

Ino's expression turned stern. "Kakashi, you've been avoiding this for too long. Sakura deserves clarity. If you're serious about making things work, you need to face these conversations head-on. You can't keep her in the dark about your intentions."

Kakashi nodded, acknowledging the truth in Ino's words. "I know, Ino. It's just... complicated."

Ino raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "Complicated or not, Sakura deserves to know where she stands in your life. You can't keep postponing these discussions."

Sakura, holding Inojin in her lap, observed the exchange between Ino and Kakashi. She couldn't deny the truth in Ino's words, and a part of her yearned for the clarity and commitment she had been seeking. But this is a discussion that is only between her and Kakashi.

"Hush, Ino, you wouldn't want Inojin to see his mother being beaten by the Copy Nin, right?" Sakura intervened before her best friend can bite more than she can chew.

Ino rolled her eyes, her stern expression softening into a smirk. "Don't think I can't take you on, Kakashi. I've dealt with worse."

Kakashi chuckled, acknowledging Ino's playful threat. "I wouldn't want to test your skills, Ino. I know better."

Sakura sighed, feeling a mixture of amusement and frustration at the banter between her best friend and Kakashi. The underlying tension regarding their relationship and the unspoken conversations about the future still lingered, casting shadows over their interactions.

Ino, sensing Sakura's inner turmoil, decided to shift the topic to a lighter note. "Anyway, Sakura, you do love me, right?"

Sakura grinned, playfully rolling her eyes at Ino. "Of course, Ino-pig. You're stuck with me for life."

Ino laughed, ruffling Sakura's hair. "Good. Because I need you to babysit for me when I start showing again."

"Wait, what?" Sakura asked her. "Showing again? You're pregnant?"

Ino's eyes widened, realizing that she had unintentionally dropped a bombshell on Sakura. Kakashi, too, looked surprised by the sudden revelation.

"Ino, you're pregnant?" Sakura repeated, a mix of shock and excitement in her voice.

Ino nodded, a grin spreading across her face. "Surprise! Looks like Inojin is going to be a big brother."

Sakura's eyes sparkled with joy, and she immediately hugged Ino, careful not to disturb the toddler in her lap. "Congratulations, Ino! That's amazing news. When did you find out?"

"Just a few weeks ago." Ino chuckled, returning Sakura's hug. "It's still early, but I couldn't wait to share the news with you."

"Sai sure keeps on making his spawn." Kakashi teasingly commented.

Ino raised her eyebrow. "Maybe the reason why I'm on my second child is because Sai is more virile than you. For almost six years, you weren't able to knock up my best friend. What Kakashi? Are you shooting blanks?"

Sakura blushed at Ino's blatant teasing. "Ino, stop it."

"Why? I mean you've been together for so long, and I haven't seen any little Hatakes running around. Maybe the reason Kakashi won't talk to you about kids is because he can't have them?" Ino suggested. "I mean if that's the case, then I totally understand."

Sakura's face turned even redder, a mix of embarrassment and frustration evident in her expression. Kakashi, too, looked caught off guard by Ino's unexpected line of questioning.

"Ino, that's enough," Sakura muttered, shooting a warning glance at her mischievous best friend.

Ino, however, continued her teasing with a sly grin. "I mean, it's a valid concern, right? If you're planning a future together, you might want to make sure there's a future generation of Hatakes."

Kakashi, trying to diffuse the situation, cleared his throat. "Ino, that's a private matter. We'll discuss it when we're ready."

Ino laughed, thoroughly enjoying the discomfort she had caused. "Alright, alright. I'll spare you the embarrassment. But seriously, Kakashi, you might want to consider it. Inojin needs a little cousin to play with."

Sakura, still blushing, changed the topic. "Ino, when are you due? Do you know the gender?"

Ino grinned, glad to shift away from the previous topic. "It's too early to know the gender, but I'm due in about seven months. Looks like our little family is growing."

Sakura smiled, genuinely happy for her best friend. The news of Ino's pregnancy brought a sense of warmth to the atmosphere, momentarily pushing aside the complexities of her own relationship.

"Congratulations, Ino. I'm so excited for you," Sakura said, rubbing her friend's belly playfully.

Ino chuckled. "Thanks, Sakura. And who knows, maybe by the time this little one arrives, you and Kakashi will have some news of your own."

Sakura shot Ino a look, silently pleading her to drop the subject. Ino, however, simply grinned, enjoying every moment of her friend's discomfort.