D/C: I own nothing.
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This has been going through my mind for a while. I had posted this on my tumblr account today, so here it is again but on this site! My tumblr penname, Unsung-Knight
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Shikamaru let out a tired sigh as he sat in his office that was in his home, tired after doing his duties as the Hokage's assistant. A job title that many would think had little to no significance, but taking a closer look to see it holds great power. Something Shikamaru wonders if he will ever fully understand why he took up the job.
He had seen the toll it took on his father growing up and till his death. Even if Shikaku Nara did not hold the title but that man did more then he ever could. Even with his busy life, Shikamaru's father always made it a point to be there for every milestone, helping him or just play a game of shogi. Even so, Shikamaru could very will see how the man spent more time helping the hokage than spend time with his family.
Something Shikamaru promised himself he will not allow once he had one of his own. That promise seemed to have been broken fine and time again.
Shikamaru reached over to his desk and picked up a paper that contained colorful doodles. He couldn't help but chuckle once he figured it, it was a crudely drawn deer.
Shikadai…
Shikamaru couldn't help but frown at the picture. He could barely remember even seeing his son draw, but every night once he comes back from work and there would be a picture waiting for him. With a heavy sigh and a weary smile, Shikamaru stood up from his chair and walked over to a bulletin board to pin up the picture. The entire board filled with drawings his son made for him.
Shikamaru looked over the board and started to see a common trend in them. The pictures went from Shikadai drawing a self-portrait, drawing his parents, then Shikadai and just his mother and deer. The deer are always there. There were less pictures of Shikamaru that it made the Nara worry.
Shikamaru felt his throat tightened. He could remember hearing his mother yell at his father for not spending more time with him growing up. Heck, he and Temari had an argument about it. She understood her husband situation, since she grew up as the Kazekage's daughter and then sister, how time consuming and mentally exhausting it could be, but family is family. Then it goes full circle when Naruto's family pops into the conversation and how he's been trying his best to train to become Hokage that the guy been… Shikamaru hates to say it, neglecting his family. There were times Shikamaru missed time with his family for Naruto to spend time with his own. Does he regret it? It makes him wonder if this is what his father felt whenever he took on Inoichi and Choza tasks to ensure they spent time with their own families.
'Whatever time I did spend with you dad, it was more than enough for me.'