code: def _get_X_pred(X_pred, index):
      """Translate forecast horizon interface to HCB native dataframe.
  
      Parameters
      ----------
      X_pred : pd.DataFrame
          Exogenous data for predictions
      index : pd.DatetimeIndex
          Index generated from the forecasting horizon
  
      Returns
      -------
      pd.DataFrame
          index - datetime
          columns - exogenous variables (optional)
      """
      if X_pred is not None:
          _check_index(X_pred.index)
  
      X_pred = pd.DataFrame(index=index) if X_pred is None else X_pred
      return X_pred
  
file_path: sktime/sktime/forecasting/adapters/_hcrystalball.py
imports: import pandas
  from sklearn.base import clone
  from sktime.forecasting.base import BaseForecaster
  from sktime.utils.validation._dependencies import _check_soft_dependencies
label_desc: Use image node_id 4 for calling a global function with example usage: _get_X_pred(X_pred, index) and returns: X_pred