Festival Of Hope
 

Kakashi Hatake, a top Jounin, sometimes an Anbu leaf village ninja had just gotten back from his mission of rescuing a couple whom had gotten themselves captured. His team mate in which he had to pretend to be with in order to get captured themselves was a Sakura. Though nothing happened considering Sakura's thoughts and ways she went about things even if it was for a mission, they almost got themselves killed. "You were supposed to be playing my lover, what happened?" Kakashi asked blankly wondering what it was she was thinking. "Well...I couldn't do that and the festival is coming up in about a weeks worth of time." Sakura said honestly, she knew about the legend herself, and explained it to Kakashi-sensei as he listened hearing about it.

"So who is it that you like?" Kakashi asked expecting the answer to be Sasuke of course, she had always liked the rogue ninja for the longest time, and there didn't seem to be anyone else she liked. "I-I can't tell you that" Sakura said looking rather hopeless about who she cared to tell about this, who could she tell that wouldn't look at her, and shun her for her heart's desire. Sakura looked down not paying any attention to where she was walking and bumped into someone reading a bunk walking in their direction knocking them both over. Kakashi sighed shaking his head and was glad that neither of them was his type of woman.


"Oh, I'm sorry are you alright?" Sakura asked looking up to see a girl with blonde hair to her waist in a wavy almost tangled look. "Alara? When did you get back?" Sakura asked seeing that Kakashi was also a bit curious to where the girl came from or why she returned back to the village. When she was little no one ever helped her out and she was considered a run away or an orphan. So at the age of 6 she wandered into the Leaf village territory looking as strong determined as she had ever looked and quite proud of herself. The Hokage took her in and gave her a place to stay until she got older, once she was twelve she left without telling anyone, and it seemed she just had returned from her own mission not too long ago.

"Oh two days ago, I couldn't find someone so I figured I would take a walk, and read for a bit. Why?" Alara picked up her book standing with the help of Sakura and smiled kindly. Sakura didn't like Alara much, not many people did, there was something unnatural about her aura, and it seemed Sakura was correct on that seeing it for first hand one time just by looking at Alara's eyes. Though Sakura was told she was just seeing things or dreaming that night Alara chose to sneak out late to train. Alara wasn't on a specific team, but she helped out Team Asuma alot most of the time that they considered her within their team. "Oh well...I'll uh g-go now, excuse me" Sakura skipped out of the conversation taking off as Alara shook her head. "So Kakashi-sensei, mind if I ask you something?" Alara questioned him.

Shikamaru was sitting on his porch staring at the shogi board. He trapped himself in a stand still and was trying to figure out how to beat himself. All of a sudden he felt a familiar presence approach, a melodic voice called out to him; "Shika-kun! What are you doing?" Looking up he sighed at he saw the orange haired woman walk up to him, "So troublesome" he mumbled looking back at the board. "What do you want?" He asked a bit brashly. "Oh, have you heard about the festival that's coming up? I didn't know if Asume has told you yet." Shikamaru looked back up at the masked lady and smiled shaking his head, "Festivals are to troublesome Inari-sensei." She giggled at this, "Not if you meet someone worth the trouble." He stared at her a bit then reset his Shogi board.

"Want to play?" He questioned, she nodded yes and sat opposite of him, moving a piece forward. The game progressed slowly on as she continued to talk to him, "is there anyone you'd want to ask you out?" Shikamaru thought for a minute then shrugged his shoulders in a noncommittal gesture. "What about you Inari-sensei?" She blushed, glad that the mask covered her cheeks, "You already know who." He looked up and smirked, "indeed. Now lets finish this game." They both let out a chuckle then started playing the game again.

"Do you know where Shikamaru lives?" Alara asked casually walking next to Kakashi-sensei, even if he wasn't her sensei like she would have liked, considering she looked up to him in a role model sort of way, Alara still called him 'sensei' Kakashi knew why she was asking with the festival coming up, but he wondered if she knew about it "I do. Do you want me to show you?" Kakashi replied watching Alara nodding so he continued "There is the festival of hope this month, actually at the end of the week on friday night of the fulll moon, do you know the legend?"

Alara shook her head "No, what does it say?" Kakashi began to explain the legend itself "It is a festival that happens once every hundred years and when it does arrive you are supposed to confess your love to the one you deeply care about. If they accept your love, then it would be a forever happiness thing. If they reject it could mean alot of hardship for you. Of course its rumored, but people believe in it so they try to do this every time it occurs. Which is once a century under the rare large bright orange moon that looks so romantic with the stars aligned just right." They headed to Shikarmaru's house thanks to Kakashi showing her the way, he had taught her some things on the side that she asked to be trained in.

Inari sighed frustrated as she looked at the shogi board, "I don't know why I even play with you, you beat me every time!" She all but growled out, "Well to be fair you did win twice." She fixed her glare on him now, "Out of six games! Twice you beat me in one move! You little smarty pants." They both chuckled at this and reset the board. Smiling she stood up and streched, "I believe Kakashi and someone else are coming our way. " She said stretching out her chakra.

Shikamaru agreed with her and smiled, "It's that troublesome Alara.' His smirked widened, Alara was gorgeous in his eyes, but he would never admit that outloud. He looked over at Inari and smiled, "Are you going to ask Kakashi-sensei to go with you to the festival?" Blushing she nodded her head not wanting to voice it out loud. She still didn't have the courage to ask him but knew if she didn't soon someone else would.

Kakashi walks onto the property of the Nara household land "Still playing Shogi?" he asked Shikamaru seeing Inari sitting their, she a brighter color hair more than the others, but what he really liked about her was her eyes. Silver and purple, very well different from all others, and yet more unique making her seem so...beautiful. Though he could never tell if she liked anyone he figured training together every now and then or talking that he would figure something out. However, she wasn't very easy to read, well he wasn't very good at reading people either like he hoped he would.

Alara smiled keeping her emotions hidden seeing as she always wore a mask made of smiles "Hi, so who is winning?" Alara asked figuring it was Shikamaru, the only other one who could beat him was Asuma sensei, and even he couldn't beat him all the time.

Inari perked up seeing Kakashi, his sliver spikey hair bouncing in step with him. Biting her lip she focused on the girl next to him, assuming it was Alara that Shikamaru spoke of earlier. Rubbing the back of her neck she smiled, "Well I beat him twice out of six times, but I think he just let me win." Stepping forward she started walking over to the pair. "Since it would be 'to troublesome' for Shikamaru to introduce us, I might as well. I'm Inari, Kazutaka Inari, it's nice to meet you!" She said she then hugged Kakashi as a welcome and stuck her hand out to shake Alara's hand.

Shikamaru walked up to both of them and nudged Inari giving her a look and then smirked at Alara, "It's to troublesome indeed." He drawled out staring at Alara. Smiling he looked up at the sky and held in a chuckle. "She won fair and square by the way." Inari looked over at him and then back to Alara.

Kakashi smiled returning the hug, he wasn't always so used to hugs as a greeting, but from Inari this was quite normal and ge grew to welcome it. Alara chuckled a little quietly at the way Inari had spoke about Shikamaru's casual word 'Troublesome' thinking he would say that since it was just like him. Alara looked at her hand and then to the side as Kakashi spoke up "She doesn't shake hands Inari, just like you she likes to greet with hugs" Kakashi knew Alara didn't like skin contact most of the time, always afraid to slip up even just once.

Alara shrugged and gave Inari a small hug then stepped back into her place she was originally in. "Nice to meet you Inari, I'm Alara, Liebchen Alara" she never did like saying her last name, though if anyone looked it up, it meant Love in simple words. Alara didn't know who to laugh at first, but decided against it. "Mind if I play a game? I think I know the basics" Alara had actually learned to play Shogi awhile back from Asuma sensei in order to hopefully get Shikamaru to like her more, then she made him promise never to tell, and read books on it to do a bit of studying so that she would hopefully be close to his level. Kakashi looked at Inari "How have you been?"

Inari was a bit shocked to hear the girl would rather hug than shake hands, she never met anyone that was like her in that area. Smiling she moved her attention to Kakashi. Self-consciously pulling at the end of her Kimono. Shikamaru smiled at Alara and turned, "Of course you can play." He said waving her over as he reset the board. "If you need any help I can assist you." He mumbled rubbing the back of his neck, "It's not to troublesome, I mean the game." He looked over the blond, her hazel eyes looked like sunflowers in a field he decided. Her outfit was modest, he liked that in a girl. Smirking he offered her the first move. He wanted to talk to her but he was unsure of what to say. "So, have you heard about the festival coming up?" He asked in a lazy way that only he would be able to do.

As Alara and Shikamaru walked over to the shogi board she tugged a little more on her kimono, "So um, have you heard about the upcoming festival?" Inari was glad for the mask on her face, Kakashi would probably never let her down about blushing. Looking into his eyes she blushed even more, she knew what was behind that mask of his, and it gave her butterflies every time she thought about it.

Alara smiled looking over at Shikamaru, then went to take a seat at the opposite end "I think I'll be fine" she smiled about the part of getting help from him "It's no fun in a game if you have to get help" Alara added looking at the pieces trying to figure out which was which again, she usually read her books everyday, but lately she had done alot of missions to save up the money. Alara made her move hearing him ask about the festival "Yes actually, Kakashi-sensei had told me about it just recently before arriving here. I believe he was speaking to Sakura about it, but she ran off kind of shy like" Alara said looking very into the game now that it had started, she would wait to make her move after he made his.

"Yes, actually. Sakura had spoken to me about it, she wouldn't tell me who she wanted to ask to it though, and I'm pretty sure it has some odd tradition of girls asking guys, why?" Kakashi apparently was being oblivious to what she was asking, though Alara was listening in the background trying to not roll her eyes, 'boys' she mentally rolled her eyes at the comment she made to herself. "Are you going to go?" he asked wondering who it was that she liked, it certainly couldn't have been him. Though she looked really cute in her Kimono as she asked him about it.

Shikamaru smirked as he heard her comment about how it was no fun to get help. "Ah, well I suppose you're right." He smiled as he made his next move He heard Alara ask if he was going. "It sounds troublesome, but if I was asked to go then i might go. Just depends on how troublesome the woman was." He said smirking at Alara, wondering who she was going to take, 'i hope she chooses a nice guy, someone smart and kind. She needs a good guy.' he thought to himself as he focused o the game in front of him.

Inari was blushing to the point wher you could see it where the mask didn't cover, "Well Kashi-kun... I was wondering maybe if you kknow, like no one has asked you yet if maybe you'd kind of want to go with me..." Her whole body was starting to turn pink, "I mean you don't have to, I just kind of really wanted to go with you." She was now looking away from him, wondering what he would say. Shikamaru listened and smiled at how very girly and shy the usually strong and easy going woman stutter over her somewhat confession. 'I wonder if he'll understand she likes him.' He thought to himself as he focused on the girl in front of him.

Alara knew who she wanted to ask, but it was embarrassing for the girl to ask the guy, especially if that really smart guy was in front of her right now. "Actually I had someone in mind, but I wouldn't think they want to. I think I'm too annoying for them, so I doubt I'll ask" Alara kept making moves and right now she was doing pretty well for someone who was supposed to be a beginner. Alara raised a brow waiting for Kakashi sensei to answer Inari's question about the festival.

Kakashi was a bit taken back, but tried to mask that part of his expression as he smiled kindly to her. It was a real and kind smile, not a fake one he would normally wear in front of others, or his students "There isn't someone else you really want to go with? I mean I still have to find out if the girl I seem like will be going" 'damn Kakashi what the hell do you think you're doing' Alara sighed thinking looking over at them a bit then looked to Shikamaru mouthing Watch this using a small jutsu that required very little effort making a vine snake up behind Inari tapping her on the back to make her fall against Kakashi whom had caught her. His mask hid his reaction as their faces were now very close to each other.

Shikamaru cocked his head to the side, trying to figure out what the young lady in front of him was doing, "i don't see how anyone could find you annoying, you should ask. I'm sure he would say yes. Just hope he's a good guy and not someone like Kiba who is literally a horn dog." he chuckled at this and made hiis move, thinking to himself 'Wow this girl is really good at Shogi than most people are.'

Shikamaru shook his head at Kakashi's statement, "Well, you're kind of the only person I would even think of going with." Inari was red all over, embarrassed that she even asked him. Shikamaru watched as he was told to do and nearly busted out laughing as Inari was pushed into Kakashi whom caught her inches away from his face. "Um, I, umm..." Inari was at a loss for words as her masked face got very close to his. Frozen in place she couldn't move, immobilized from shock. "I like you Kashi-kun." she whispered and looked down.

Alara laughed "Haha no way it's not Kiba, he has a girl who likes him, though I aint telling that one" Alara knew, but was promised not to tell anyone when she found out, not that she really did care. Making her move she set her player in check on the board as if to say 'check mate' "So did I do good?" she asked already trapping most of his pieces, but not all of them making it hard for him to move. "Hey Shikamaru, mind if I ask a question?" Alara asked distracted somewhat.

Now Kakashi sensei was turning very bright red at her comment about who she liked, she mumbled it, but was certain that he heard it correctly "I'm glad it wasn't someone else, I'd love to go with you to the festival" Kakashi said then stood them both up so they could re compose themselves "I think I'll head home to take a nap after my mission I returned from today. Shall I walk you home?" Kakashi asked, a walk would relax them both...hopefully.

"Well it's good that it's not Kiba," he was truely grateful for that one, "you're really good at Shogi, not many can trap so many so quickly." He said as he pondered over which move to use next, finally finding one that didn't help to much. "Of course, you can always ask me anything Alara, you know that." Shikamaru looked up and smiled at her, wondering what exactly she wanted to ask him. Shifting his legs he stretched, popping his back. Looking back at Kakashi and Inari he smiled widely and winked at Alara, "Nice work." He said.

Inari messed with the hem of the kimono and smiled brightly, "Really? You're not joking with me are you?" She asked as he stood her back up. "Because it would mean everything to me if you really mean it." She smiled brightly and kissed his cheek, their masks making it pointless to others but Inari knew it would make him blush, it always did. Looping her arm through his she giggled, "Of course I would love you to walk me home." She lived in the same building as Kakashi, actually a floor up and three apartments right of him. "Shall we go?" She asked looking up at him.

Shikamaru noticed the interaction and smiled up at Alara, "That was a little less troublesome than I thought it would be. Inari-sensei seems to be back to normal happy self." He leaned back against the porch post behind him, "So what was that question of yours?" Looking at the shogi board he knew right away that she would win. 'That's actually pretty attractive.' he thought to himself as he studied her features.

"Thank you" Alara beamed quietly at how she used her little trick to get the other two closer together. Alara was glad she chose to study before trying to play Shogi against Shikamaru, he seemed to always play it, and losing the first game wasn't something she wanted to do. Though she thought maybe he was going to tell her that she got lucky or something, but he didn't. "I actually I have been reading about Shogi and how to play it"

"Yes, I do mean it" Kakashi began to walk her home after trying to think if the mask was hiding how red his face was, though his eyes would truly give it away. "Sure, let's head off" usually Kakashi would want to read his book some more, but right now he seemed just to want to focus on Inari's words and herself. "So, what were you doing before playing Shogi with Shikamaru?" Kakashi asked her making conversation in someway.

"Oh um..." Alara started to ask it before Ino popped up "Alara, come on we have to get to work" Alara forgot she worked at a flower shop during the evening outside of missions, maybe she would stop working there it was starting to get to be a pain now, especially when she was about to ask Shikamaru something. "Oh I forgot" standing up quickly and looking at Shikamaru "I'll have to ask you tomorrow, I'm sorry" she bowed "I'll meet you by the lake tomorrow morning if you can, if its too early I'll be there all day, so you can stop by anytime, excuse me Shikamaru. I had fun with the game" and she waved running off as Ino gave Shikamaru a curious look, Ino had already asked Choji to go with her, and he actually said yes. So Ino was rather quite happy about that.

Shikamaru watched as she moved another piece, "Ah, studying, that's rather smart of you." He grinned at this and moved one of his own pieces again, "Why did you want to play Shogi? Most people hate it.." looking at her curiously he smiled. Starting to put two and two together, "It was because you wanted to play with me right?" He was now grinning, "Must've been troublesome for you." Smiling ear to ear now as he teased her. As Ino popped up he sighed, looking only at Alara. Seeing her being rushed away made him kind of sad, he enjoyed her company. Alara was a rather interesting person. "i'll be by." He promised her, making a mental note to go.

Inari beamed up at him as they started to walk, "I was actually looking for you." Blushing yet again she looked at her feet then straight ahead of them. "I really wanted to ask you before anyone else would get a chance." Bitting her lip she looked up at him again, admiring his soft looking hair. The way he walked and talked. The way he would say her name. As soon as she realized she was staring she quickly looked away embarrassed, "I'm sorry I'm so weird." She said as she rubbed the back of her neck with the free hand..

Alara heard what Shikamaru said and it was true, she learned it just to play with Shikamaru as to impress him, but reading about it was really fun. She got to learn knew things as well as be ready to do something she liked with someone else she cared about. Alara had some training to do in the morning, she was always training, but this time she wasn't training with others like usual. Naruto was trying to get Sakura to ask him to the festival, but she was refusing to be around anyone right now.

----

"Oh, sorry I was on a mission with Sakura and bumped into Alara along the way" Kakashi spoke adding "Guess it was a good thing she was looking for Shikamaru, I was able to come across your presence along the way" he smiled not sure if he worded that right or not. Kakashi had his hands in his pockets while she held onto one of his arms as they made it up to her apartment. He was a fellow Anbu in the past, so getting information on people wasn't too hard, and right now it seemed he knew it by chance.

Kakashi stopped outside of her door "I'm really glad that you asked me, I can't wait until the festival comes now, goodnight Inari" Kakashi spoke about to walk away then decided against it as the gentle breeze rustled past them and the sun with a red-ish sort of yellow glow to the sky. He didn't speak, feeling it would ruin the moment, and kissed Inari on the cheek then smiled sheepishly.

Shikamaru went into the backyard and laid in the hammock they put up not to long ago, staring at the clouds as they changed colors with the sunset and the stars starting peeking through. Sighing he got up and went inside where his mom was cooking. "Shikamaru it's your favoriteee" She sang out to him. Rolling his eyes he lazily began to set the table.



Inari listened to his every word, smiling still. "It was a vey good thing indeed." She breathed out as they were close to her apartment. Sighing softly she looked up at the clouds, "Thank Kami he said he'd go.' she thought to herself as they got to the front door of her apartment. Shocked as she felt Kakashi kiss her cheek she blushed and hugged him softly, retreating from him to unlock her door. Looking back up at Kakashi she smiled almost evilly, "Sweet dreams, try not to dream of me to much." With a wink she hid behind her door, leaning against it as she berated herself. "Don't dream of me to much? That sounded so stupid!" Talking to herself as she went to get herself some tea.

'Well that was eventful.' Nova, her demon, said to her. 'You acted like a child, not a twenty-five year old. Silly thing. You don't need to be nervous around your best friend.' Inari sighed as the kettle went off, "I know, it's just I get butterflies any time he touched me." She blushed at this comment as she pulled her mask down to drink her tea. "At least I now have a date. Maybe Alara will go Kimono shopping with me." She commented before going to sit in the living room.

Alara had worked until late that night telling her boss that she was finished working with the flower shop altogether saying she was planning to go on more missions in the near future. Without argue she got paid and left for the rest of the time being. She went home to take a shower before bed and went to sleep not eating, way too tired to go make something, she passed out like a light.

Waking up in the morning seeing the sun brightly shining in her room through the thin, white curtains. Smiling while stretching she laid there for a couple moments, she never wanted to get up in the morning, but being five am now, she didn't have a choice. Going to change into her training outfit consisting of shorts and tank top she pulled her hair into a high ponytail like she normally did to train. Heading downstairs she started making herself some breakfast and decided on a healthy fruit smoothie. Alara wasn't the type of girl to think she was fat or anything, but it was usually quicker to grab a small filling meal, than something more than that.

~ ~ ~

Kakashi went home after that smiling liked the comment she made about not dreaming so much. Kakashi ate his dinner and went to bed. The next day arrived as he got up taking a long, hot shower. While out on missions you had to use cold water or whatever you could, that is if you could find a shower or water out there.

Shikamaru woke up and stretched, lazily getting out of bed. Grabbing a clean set of his normal ninja attire, he headed straight for the bathroom to shower and change. As the hot water beat against his head he thought to himself, 'I wonder what Alara was going to ask.' Finally getting out of the shower he dried of and dressed. After a few minutes of still trying to wake up he brushed his hair and tied it up in his usual spikey ponytail.

As he went downstairs he smelt bacon, stopping in the kitchen he smiled at his mom who handed him a plate of bacon and eggs. Popping some bread in the toaster he waited patiently for it to pop out. When it did he sat down and ate everything on his plate. Once finished with the food he got up and started walking to the lake, determined to find out what Alara was going to ask.


Inari awoke to the sound of her alarm. It was dark in her room thanks to the black curtains draped over the window. turning on her bedside lamp she smiled at the familiar room. Everything was black, purple, and silver. She had a writing desk, a couch, her bed, and two bedside tables in her room. She even had a tv in a cabinet that she occasionally watched to go to bed. Stretching she got out of bed and headed straight for the kitchen.

Inari ate a yogurt as she started blending her protein shake, she wasn't much of a breakfast eater. After the shake was done she put it in the fridge and went to take a shower. When she was done she grabbed her shake and headed out. She didn't know particularly where she was going but a nice long walk seemed nice. Smiling she left the apartment building and headed straight for the market. Sipping on her shake along the way.

Alara had already arrived with starting her training being so focused while she did so. Sometimes there were times she wished she didn't like training so much, but what else would she do in the morning. Creating clone to fight against they sparred using different attacks against each other without using their chakra. She couldn't afford to use it out in the open and had almost forgotten that Shikamaru was coming to talk to her about yesterday. She didn't even know what she would say and it was getting hard to think once her clone started attacking more.

Kakashi had been lucky there was no training this week as he walked out of his apartment building to go get some breakfast. Seeing Sakura along the way was a bit unusual this early in the morning, "Hey Sakura-chan" Kakashi spoke to his pink hair student as she looked up giving him a fake smile "Going to get breakfast this morning?" Sakura shook her head no to his question "Well, come on I'll treat you" he wanted to ask her why she seemed so upset "Okay Kakashi-sensei" she didn't sound so enthusiastic this morning.

Hinata was up and about without her cousin Neji following her. Hinata was planning on finding the other girls and getting her dress for the festival after successfully asking Naruto to go with her to the festival. Naruto of course said yes and then after he left she wound up passing out. Good thing Shino was there with her knowing that would be a possibility. "Oh, sensei" Ino exclaimed seeing Hinata near too "Hinata, where are you two headed?" who knew the festival would get people up so early just to shop.

Shikamaru walked to the lake and sat down, leaning back with his hands behind his head Shikamaru stared up at the sky, taking in the colors and clouds. It was a peaceful day, he didn't mind waiting for Alara, he figured she must be training or still asleep.. 'It's so peaceful I could just sleep here a while.' He thought to himself. 'Well Alara can wake me up when she comes.' He thought as he closed his eyes and drifted off to a peaceful sleep.


Inari paused in the street as she saw Ino calling for her and then Hinata, "I was just going out for a walk, I don't know with Hinata though." She took a sip of her protein shake. Hinata blushed and stuttered out ."I-i'm looking to b-buy a kimono... N-n-naruto said he'd go with m-me." Inari looked at the girl, amazed that she asked Naruto and yet sympathetically because of the poor girl stutter. They definitely needed to work on that. "Well why don't we all go shopping together. You can invite Tenten and Sakura along if you'd like." She offered the two girls.

Alara trained for another hour not realizing that he was already near, she was so focused on her opponent she didn't focus on any other chakra levels around her. Which in a real battle would be her downfall; leaving to change and shower, it was now eight in the morning when she returned back trying to hurry up just to meet him. Walking by the lake once more she noticed someone laying on the grass walking over to them, she came to realize it was Shikamaru who seemed to be asleep, and so she sat down next to him.

Alara might have not noticed how odd it was to be watching a sleeping person outside, but he looked so cute and peaceful. While he was asleep she realized how different he looked than usual as if the scene around them was placed on perfect. Leaning over she gently placed her lips against his as if to give him a light kiss, then pulled away quickly standing up, only to quickly sit down acting childish as to so he wouldn't suspect anything "Hi Shikamaru" Alara beamed figuring she would blame her blushing cheeks on the sun's heat even though it wasn't that warm. Alara wore her usual capris this time with a light blue tank top to which she loved.

~ ~ ~

Ino smiled until she heard the mention of Sakura's name "I don't think she wants to go, she is acting...well so different lately. It's like I don't even know her anymore. Ino stood next to them "Oh, but we can go, right Hinata?" Ino asked her, she would ask the sensei, but Ino thought she seemed a bit odd to ask. There were rumors, so of course Ino listens to every single one of them around the village, she was one of the girls that loved to gossip at times.

~ ~ ~

Kakashi was talking with Sakura still not finding out who she wanted to go with and if he did, she figured he would hate her for it. "Why don't you ask Alara, she seems to be more understanding about things like this, in fact I believe Inari is going to the festival as well, maybe you three can do some girl bonding" he suggested.