He knew where she was, so he took his time getting there. On the way he bought a pack of cigarettes and some flowers from Ino.
Shikamaru took a single cigarette from the box and put it in his mouth.
'Look after her while I get there, Asuma-sensei'
"An-And I was scared that Shika-nii and Temari-san were gonna forget about me. And I got really sad and angry!" Mirai explained to her father. But the tombstone did not say anything back. It never did.
"And... and I yelled at Shika-nii, Daddy." She added softly, "I didn't mean to, it was an accident. I promise I didn't mean to yell."
More silence. Once again her crimson eyes threatened to tear up.
"I-I was so mean to Shika-nii Daddy. I was awful! Daddy I'm so sorry, I'm sorry!"
Mirai felt guilty, she felt selfish. She wrapped her arms around Asuma's grave as she cried. The faint smell of cigarette smoke came from the gravestone. It was slightly comforting, like a small hug.
"Daddy what should I do!? I don't want big brother Shikamaru to hate me!" She cried out. Holding on to tomb even harder, hoping for some of answer.
That's how Shikamaru found the child. Crying while hugging her father's tomb. Shikamaru's heart felt heavy. He knew Mirai would run off and go to her father whenever she was upset. To her, Asuma was the one person who wouldn't judge her. Asuma's grave was her safe haven.
He took a long drag before snuffing the cigarette and made his way to his sensei's grave. Shikamaru made no effort to hide his footsteps. Mirai in return stiffened at the sound, but did not turn around.
'Still not ready to talk Mirai?' He thought to himself. Shikamaru stood next to the dark haired girl, gently set the flowers and cigarettes next to grave. He could hear Mirai whimper quietly.
They've done this before, Mirai would go to her father, Shikamaru would follow. He would sit in front of the grave until Mirai felt better then she would crawl in to his lap and they would watch the clouds together. But this was not like the other times.
"Mirai?" He said gently, "Is everything ok-"
"I'M SORRY SHIKA-NI" With that Mirai let go of her father's tombstone and rushed into Shikamaru's arms, knocking him down (again.)
"I'M SO SORRY I YELLED AT YOU. I DONT HATE YOU PLEASE DONT MAD!" She said as she cried into his shirt.
Shikamaru chuckled and wrapped his arms around Mirai.
"It's alright, don't cry. I'm not mad at you"
Mirai finally looked at him "You're not?" She asked softy. Her red eyes now puffy.
"Tch, I could never get mad at you, you troublesome kid." He ruffed her hair for good measure.
Mirai giggled. Still holding the girl Shikamaru sat up.
"However, mind telling me what happened back there. You're usually not so troublesome."
Mirai looked down, too embarrassed to meet his eyes.
"I was scared." She said softly, too softly in fact. Even though Shikamaru was a jonin he barely hear what she said.
"Hm?"
"I said I was scared Shika-nii."
Now Shikamaru was confused. "Scared? Scared of what?"
Mirai pressed her lips together. "Of the baby."
Shikamaru held back a laugh. The granddaughter of the Third Hokage, was scared of a baby? It made him wonder...
"Wait what baby?"
Mirai shifted uncomfortably "...the baby in Temari-nee's tummy."
Once again Shikamaru let out a chuckle. Mirai pouted.
"It's not funny Shika-nii."
"I suppose you're right, sorry." His smile never faltered.
"It's just... I never get to see you or Temari-nee. Momma says it's because you're getting ready for the baby." She said sadly. "Everyone is so busy with babies, no one has time to play or even say hi anymore. It's like... like I'm not even around. I don't- I don't.. I was scared you would all love the baby so much that you all would forget about me..."
Silence.
Her words struck him right across the face. Of course he would never forget about her. There's no way. He stared at the child, she looked so sad and scared. Maybe he has been neglecting his duties as her foster caretaker lately.
'Mirai, I could never forget about you." He held her closer. "I'm sorry I haven't been making time for you."
Mirai didn't respond.
"I will never forget about you Mirai, never. I made a promise, and I'll never go back on my word."
Mirai looked up at him again. "What promise Shika-nii?"
Now it was Shikamaru's turn to smile again.
"I promised your father that I would protect you, no matter what. You and all the future children of Konoha, including my baby, are our King. Mirai, do you understand what I'm saying?"
Mirai stared back at him with her big red eyes. Shikamaru kept going.
"You and all the children are the future of our village. The reason Temari and I continue to be shinobi is because we want children like you to grow up without worrying about stuff like war. It is our duty, our ninja way."
Shikamaru leaned against the grave, Mirai still in his lap. She was quiet, taking in the speech he gave her.
"... I want to be like him." She finally said in a small voice.
"Hm?"
Mirai jumped up and turned towards Shikamaru. Her small fist waving with determination.
"I wanna be like dad when I grow up! I wanna protect the Kings too! Just like you and Temari-nee and Uncle Kiba and Uncle Buggy and Mom and Everyone!"
Shikamaru smiled at her.
'Asuma sensei, I wish you were here to this.' He thought to himself.
"So, you want to be a Kunoichi?"
Mirai nodded furiously, "I'm already in the Academy. But I wanna be like you and Dad, I want to be strong Kunoichi like mom and big sister Temari..."
Behind her the sun began to go down. They've been out for a while. Kurenai might begin to worry. With that he had an idea.
"Mirai, how would you like... what I'm trying to say is... Mirai, would you accept me as your sensei?"
Mirari's eyes widen. "But..but I'm not even a genin yet."
Shikamaru chuckled. "I'm sure your mother wouldn't mind if I gave you a few extra lessons after school."
Once again Mirai's filled with tears. But this time, she wore a smile.
"Really? You want to train me?"
"I'd be honored to train you Mirai."
The child ran up to him and wrapped her arms around him. He returned the hug.
"So I'm taking that as a yes."
"Of course!"
But Shikamaru wasn't done speaking yet.
"Mirai, there is one more thing I need to ask you."
"What is it Shika-nii?"
"When my and Temari's baby is born. He's going to need to someone to look after him. Temari and I are still planning to be shinobi after he's born. We might take a break while he's still young. But..." he placed his hand on her shoulder. "When he's older, I think he'll be really happy having someone to protect him when Temari and I are not around. Like a big sister... like you."
"You really mean it?"
"Uh huh. Now..." Shikamaru crouched down, "let's get you home."
Mirai climbed on his back. And with that Shikamaru took off. The sky had darkened as Konoha's night life came alive. The civilians below paid no attention to the pineapple haired shinobi as he jumped through the roofs. Shikamaru took a small view behind him.
'Already asleep huh? I'm jealous' he laughed at his own thought as he approached the Sarutobi compound. From there he saw two houses lit up. He slowed down as he neared the compound.
"Yo! Shikamaru!"
Shikamaru stopped near the Sarutobi gates as the newcomer waved him down.
"Konohamaru, back from your mission already?"
The teenager smiled and nodded politely.
"Nothing me and my team couldn't handle." He said proudly As he spoke his eyes automatically focused themselves on the sleeping child on Shikamaru's back.
"Did she... she went to go visit Uncle Asuma again." He said, this time a bit more softly.
Shikamaru nodded in response as he adjusted Mirai so he was carrying her in his arms instead.
"Shikamaru, thank you."
This caught him by surprise.
"Whaddya mean?"
Konohamaru smiled as his cousin.
"It's hard, not growing up with a parent. Mine were gone all my life, and Jiji... well Jiji didn't always have time for me. I know Mirai misses Uncle Asuma. Sometimes when I babysit for Aunty Kurenai, Mirai cries in her sleep for her dad... And even though Aunty Kurenai has done everything to make sure Mirai has a happy childhood... I mean Mirai is happy, but even she needs someone to look up to. You are to her what big brother Naruto is to me."
Shikamaru's eyes widened a bit. He knew Konohamaru practically praised Naruto. To think that Mirai held him to such a high standard. He felt his eyes water.
"Thank you for looking after Mirai. She means a lot to me, I just wish Jiji and Uncle Asuma could of met her."
"Me too kid, me too."
"Well, I'm beat. I'll see you around Shikamaru." Konohamaru said. With that he kissed Mirai's forehead. "And goodnight Mirai."
"Later Konohamaru."
They both went their separate ways. Shikamaru walked until he reaches Kurenai's home. He didn't even get a chance to knock before Kurenai opened the door.
"I see you found her." She teased him as he handed her Mirai to her.
"Very funny Kurenai."
The dark haired woman laughed. "So how'd it go?"
"It went.. better than expected. I'm assuming Tem already went home."
Kurenai nodded, "The baby was acting up so she went home to rest. And you should too. Especially considering how sleep will be a luxury you won't be able to afford soon." Kurenai laughed as Shikamaru's face fell.
She placed her hand on his slumped shoulder. "It'll all be worth it, trust me."
Shikamaru gave her a hopeful smile.
"Thank you, Kurenai-sensei."
They said goodnight. Shikamaru made his way home. The first thing he did was find his wife. His heart melted at the sight of her curdled up in the coach. Clearly she was waiting for him.
Crouching beside her, he ran his fingers through her hair.
"Tem, Temari." No response.
'What a drag, you could of at least fallen asleep in bed.' He thought as he carried her to their bedroom.
Gently putting her down he couldn't help but to stare at her. Inside her was life, in a few month there will be a new baby in the world. Their baby.
Shikamaru placed his hand on top her belly.
"Don't worry, I'm here. You take your time, your mom and I will be waiting for you. We'll do everything to make sure you're safe... I love you." With that Shikamaru closed his eyes. He wondered what his baby would look like.
A/N: I'm so glad you guys are enjoying the story. Worry not as the final chapter of the story is almost completely written, 2 more to go! After this I should have more time to update my other story. Also thanks to "fanofthisfiction" for catching an error. I really need to stop updating at 2 am lol.