Hey everyone. So I decided to do a little one-shot of something a little sad. I think I'll try my hand at something a little happier in the future. But enjoy!
"Hey Shika, it's me. How are you? … I'm fine, just trying to survive, one day at a time. I haven't been up to much, just going on missions and being Gaara's bodyguard. It's pretty fun. My silly little brother gets into so much trouble. I had to remind him a few days ago that it was his and Matsuri's anniversary. He's so swamped in his work, I halfway don't blame him for forgetting. But I've seen Matsuri mad before, and trust me, it's something you don't wanna see. She's such an innocent looking, sweet girl, but when she's provoked enough – which Gaara tends to be able to easily do – she's a nightmare to deal with. But things have been kinda slow after the war ended ya know? The nations still have a strong alliance going on, so not many battles to fight. The exception being the idiots who think they can get away with crimes. Kankuro's doing well too. Can you believe it? The little idiot matured." She stops to laugh at thoughts of her brother in his "perverted stage". "He has started dating a girl from Konoha. I bet you already know, yup, it's Ino. I was so surprised when I found out. I thought she still had a thing for the Uchiha kid, but I guess that's in the past. But they make each other happy, so I approve. Besides, she's one of your best friends so that works in her favor as well."
"But I must say, Naruto sure has come a long way. The little loudmouthed brat, now sitting in the Hokage's office. He's a natural born leader; I have no doubt Konoha will prosper under him. I remember how much he was able to motivate us in the war when all of us had lost hope. We were all ready to give up, but he wouldn't let us. He inspired us to push on, to fight until our very last breaths. The entire shinobi world owes him their lives. And when I think about it, I owe him that twice over. He brought Gaara back from the clutches of the Akatsuki. I don't know how I can ever repay such a debt. If he hadn't brought Gaara back… I… I don't know what I would've done. Every time I visit Konoha I go by his office and help him as much as I can. But after a couple of hours he always kicks me out, and he says the same thing everytime."
"Tema-chan, go get some rest. You need it, you just traveled 3 days from Suna. You know Shikamaru wouldn't be happy about you working yourself so hard. He always was so lazy, but nothing could get him riled up like worrying about your health."
"He knows how to make me listen to him, he knows I don't want you to worry. I promise, I'm not overdoing it Shika."
"Hey Temari, you ready to go?" Temari looks behind her to see Tenten standing behind her, holding a small bundle in her arms.
"Yeah, I'm ready Ten." She goes over to her best friend and gently takes the bundle from her, readjusting the blanket and momentarily revealing black tufts of hair. She kisses the tiny forehead, making the baby shift in his sleep, and covers it once again.
"Kouta's doing fine too. He's only 2 months old, but I can tell he's going to be strong one day, just like you." Holding the child closer to her, Temari and Tenten head home. As they move, the moonlight illuminates a few words:
SHIKAMARU
NARA
MEMBER OF THE SHINOBI ALLIANCE
SAVIOR OF THE HOKAGE
TEAMMATE
FRIEND
HUSBAND
FATHER
Years into the future, when the war was but a story to be passed down to younger generations, the story was told of their brave sixth Hokage, his ability to rally together even the most hopeless of troops, and of a man brave enough to sacrifice his life, so that countless others could be spared.