A/N: This story has been playing around in my head for months. Shikamaru is staying true to his promise to Kurenai.
Disclaimer: If they were mine Asuma wouldn't have died…and he would've been shirtless. A lot!
Mentor
Sarutobi Asumaru studied the shogi pieces in front of him. The seriousness of his expression made him look much older than his six years. Nara Shikamaru watched his pupil with interest. After only a little over a year of playing together twice a week, Asumaru finally appeared to have gotten the hang of strategy. He was thinking ahead, no more moving the pieces at random.
After three minutes, the boy's face lit up and he moved a rook. He looked up to see his teacher beaming at him.
"Excellent move, Asu," Shikamaru nodded approvingly. Now, if I move my bishop, what would be your best defense?"
"Accidentally upending the board always works for me," Shikamaru's wife, Temari chimed in from the kitchen.
Asumaru laughed as he considered the question.
"Anou, " he replied after studying the board again, "if I move my bishop, then you would take my rook . But, if I use my gold general to block you," he smiled, "you would be forced to move your bishop and expose your king."
Shikamaru crossed his hands behind his head grinning. Up until now, the only person who'd ever beaten him at shogi was his father. Okay, Asuma beat him that one time, but there were extenuating circumstances, and he was distracted.
Watching Asumaru he was struck by how quickly the next generation of kids were inheriting the will of fire. Even at twenty-one, he knew there might come a time when everything he and the rest of the Konoha Eleven fought so hard to protect could fall apart. He knew that there might come a point in time when his child would have to look up to someone other than himself, someone like Asu.
For the first time in a long time he craved a cigarette, but knowing Temari would hit him, he checked the impulse.
"We'll finish the game tomorrow, ne?" Asumaru had gathered his things, it was time for him to go home. When Shikamaru didn't respond the boy waved a hand in front of his mentor's face. "Shikamaru-sensei?"
The Shadow-Nin blinked.
"Oh, hai. Hai Asu, tomorrow," he replied standing up and stretching.
"Tell your mother to come with you and we can all have dinner together," Temari waved from the kitchen.
Shikamaru walked the boy to the door and squeezed his shoulders affectionately.
"Asu, I want you to know that I'm really proud of how well you're doing, and I know your father feels the same way."
Asumaru's scarlet eyes shone with pride.
"Arigatou sensei, I'll see you tomorrow."
Shikamaru waved goodbye. He stood outside long after he could no longer see his student, and when the stars began to come out he finally walked back into the house passing the kitchen, and continuing down the hall to his baby daughter's room.
Little Nara Tsukiko was asleep in her crib. He deftly picked her up and sat down with her in the rocking chair by the window. After a few minutes, Temari found him still rocking the sleeping baby with tears coursing silently down his cheeks.
She leaned over him and whispered, "hey crybaby, what's wrong?"
Shikamaru stopped rocking and stared into his wife's eyes."Nothing," he smiled, leaning forward to kiss her. "Everything's just as should be."
o-o-oOWARIo-o-o