A/N: This little story has been dancing around in my head since Daddy's Lullaby. Today it finally clicked. Yes, it's very short.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or anyone/thing in this story c'ept the idea.
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When he was born with red hair she knew immediately what she would name him. It was only fair that she name the boy since Tsukiko was named by her father. When she told Shikamaru the name she'd chosen, he touched his son's tiny forehead and agreed. She added "maru" so that his name would have the same ending as his father's.
When Kankuro and Ayame visited, they exclaimed over the boy's beauty, but she could see the hint of pain in her brother's eyes. She told him the name, and Kankuro smiled. He nodded and said that she and her husband had already proven themselves to be better parents than the Sabaku's could have ever dreamed of being. At that his nephew cooed.
Gaara was very quiet during his visit. He stared into the face of his nephew, his mirror image. But without the rings around the eyes, he noted to himself. He'd worked so hard at learning what real self-love was, and how to give love to others. His niece was the apple of his eye, and he spoiled her completely. Temari was always complaining about the amount of toys she had to drag home from Sunagakure whenever Tsukiko accompanied her on her diplomatic missions.
The Kazekage offered his index finger to the boy he held in his arms. His nephew grasped it tightly in his miniature fist.
"You were born to wonderful parents, and your name will be prophetic, Aisokumaru."
o-o-oOWARIo-o-o
A/N: Sorry I didn't explain earlier...the word "Aisoku" means "beloved son". "Maru" is a typical ending to boys names, in this case Shika and his son share the same ending the way he and Shikaku share the same beginning.
