Chapter 12: Birthday Presents

A few hours later at Yakiniku Q Ino was starry eyed as she looked at a beautiful set of blunted, lightweight, children’s kunai and shuriken. “Thank you thank you thank you!!!” Ino yelled as she flung herself into a hug-tackle at Inoyama.

“Ino dear,” Fuyumi said sweetly, “those may be blunted, but if we ever catch you using them without adult supervision you will be in big trouble. Both of you will be.” She said, glaring at Inoyama.

Ino flashed her best innocent smile, saying, “I would never!” Inoyama gave Fuyumi his best wounded puppy look which was met with an unyielding I’m-watching-you glare. Inoyama winked at Ino and gave her a coupon redeemable for “Five high-quality SHINOBI lessons of your choice.” The ‘shinobi’ was underlined multiple times.

Standing off to the side a bit Inoichi, Chōza and Shikaku stood together, watching their kids. “Yeesh you’re setting an awfully high bar here for the rest of us.” Shikaku grumbled to Inoichi, who merely chuckled.

“They are starting in the academy this year you know Shikaku.” Chōza ribbed gently.

“Bleh, don’t remind me.” The grumbling continued. “Once Yoshino’s pre-school classes end she’s going to have infinite energy to bother me with.”

“She’s not going to continue teaching?” Inoichi asked.

“Not enough kids. It’s a bizarre age group, basically all those kids are clan heirs. There should be a new herd of monsters in a couple years.”

From a few feet away Ino’s voice rang out, “Thank you very much Mebuki-san, Kizashi-san! It’s beautiful and the perfect gift!” Sitting in front of her sat a beautiful new set of writing and calligraphy tools.

“Are you sure your kid is 6 Inoichi? I can’t imagine being excited about calligraphy when I was her age.” Chōza commented.

“Hey I picked it out!” Sakura complained.

Ino hugged her fake-pouting friend with a, “Hehe thanks Sakura.”

Her mom had given her the pair of earings she had been begging for after seeing them on display a few weeks ago. They were dangly and purple and crescent moon shaped and purple-haired ninja had commented on them when Ino had been stalking her nearby, completely by chance. Her dad had gotten her some cool pouches and strappy things because “the best ninja have the best outfits.” Chōji and Shikamaru had each gotten her a book: Chemistry for Kids, and Beginners Guide to Botany. Both books were too difficult to read right now of course, but their parents had said at the rate she was learning she’d probably be able to start understanding bits and pieces soon, especially with parental assistance. From Cousin Inosuki she got a beautiful purple butterfly hair clip. Kiba gave her a stuffed puppy. It was black and soft and perfect.

Most surprising gift of the night definitely went to Shino. After learning she’d be working in the flower store soon, he’d somehow gotten a message to his father in the middle of the party. Shibi Aburame showed up partway through dinner and handed an envelope to his son before quietly conversing with Inoichi and departing. Ino noticed her father stiffen briefly at whatever Shino’s dad had said, before grimacing and nodding and thanking him. The envelope contained a picture of a plant that the Aburame clan would be gifting her, alongside Shino’s original gift of a hive of honeybees (this was also a to-be-delivered-later gift for obvious reasons).

All Yamanakas in attendance were slightly bewildered at the thoughtfulness behind both gifts; bees were something of a luxury, and they tended to get by without them. The bees would be wonderful for helping pollinate the thousands of plants the clan grew and sold each year. Even stranger was the flower. It had a complicated name Ino couldn’t say but blushed furiously when she was informed its common name was “Princess of the Night”. Shino’s face was just as bright-red as he struggled to tell her the name, and quickly added that it had been his dad’s choice not his. Ino thought she saw a shocked look cross her mom’s face upon hearing the name but couldn’t be totally sure.

Apparently, it was a rare flowering cactus that only bloomed in darkness. Even some of the other Yamanakas hadn’t heard of it! All-in-all Ino wasn’t really sure what to make of Shino and his gifts. It felt like a bit much. The bees were more of a gift for her family she supposed, and one hive wasn’t that much but still... She thanked him profusely and requested he convey the same to his dad.

It was a perfect birthday she decided as she fell asleep that night, cuddling her new stuffed friend. Which reminded her, she had two new best friends! To be honest she had no idea where Shino’s bug had gone and hoped she hadn’t accidentally squished it. She’d have to pick names for both. Sakura snored quietly nearby. It felt good to finally be six.

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