A/N: Haori-hakama is a man's kimono, sometimes worn at weddings. In this case, yes, Shikamaru is going to wear one. A tomesode kimono is a black formal kimono that has a multicolored skirt.

Disclaimer: I don't own anyone/thing in this story, but I do love Yoshino.

Chapter 2: The Naras

"Otou-san!" Shikamaru bellowed, "I can't get this damn thing to fit right!"

Shikaku entered his son's hotel room carrying his own black haori. He took one look at the helpless expression on his son's face and started laughing.

"It's not funny." Shikamaru was clearly panicked and that only caused Shikaku to laugh harder.

"It helps if you don't put your hakama on backwards," Shikaku gasped. "See the drawstring?"

"Troublesome..." the younger Nara muttered while his father wiped the tears from his eyes.

"Ochitsuke!" Shikaku smiled. "I haven't seen you this upset since you were a toddler and your mother made you eat nori."

Shikamaru shrugged as he put his hakama on the correct way and pulled the drawstring.

"At least it's only for one day," his father continued. "Remember, the Third used to dress like this everyday."

"One more reason I'll never be Hokage," his son mumbled while brushing his hair up into it's usual ponytail. "Naruto must be completely baka."

Shikaku shrugged as he put on his haori.

"I imagine you'd get used to it." He looked over at his son who had just pulled on his undershirt. "Listen, would you like me to stay and help you finish getting dressed?"

Shikamaru nodded, not quite meeting his father's eyes.

"This is what you want ne?"

"Hai otou-san."

"So what's the problem? You have your own place, you've been with Temari-chan for two years now, not much is going to change except now she'll really own you."

Shikamaru chuckled.

"Frankly, I thought your mother was going to die before this day finally came."

Shikamaru laughed out loud at that remark. His mother had been impossible for the two weeks leading up to the wedding day. Shikaku had taken to slipping sake into her tea so she'd calm down. She'd insisted that Shikamaru come home so she could make sure he was eating properly, but only succeeded in driving both father and son into staying at Shikamaru's apartment to avoid her sudden outbursts.

Shikaku adjusted his son's red haori then turned him so they could stand next to eachother in front of the mirror.

"You really look like a man now," Shikaku stated proudly. Shikamaru was about to answer when they heard a loud sob come from the doorway. Yoshino was standing in her tomesode kimono, with a handkerchief to her face.

"Okaa-san?" Shikamaru asked as Shikaku went to put his arm around his wife.

"Bi-bi-bishonen," she sobbed, "you look so ha-ha-handsome! I'm so ha-ha-happy!"

"It's okay aisuru," Shikaku kissed his wife's head. "We knew this day would come. You've been looking forward to it for so long."

"I know," she took a deep, shuddering breath. "I was just so scared, he's so lazy I was worried that Temari-chan would change her mind."

Shikamaru rolled his eyes while Shikaku suppressed a smile. Yoshino took another deep breath and looked at her son.

"Shikamaru, I want you to know that the only thing that could make me happier than I am right now, is to find out that I'm going to be a grandmother. So no being lazy, do you understand me?"

Shikamaru stared at his mother for a moment. After he picked his jaw up off the floor, he shrugged.

"It'll be troublesome, but I'll do my best."

Yoshino nodded.

"See that you do."

o-o-o

During the ceremony, Shikamaru was reminded of his mother's final words everytime he heard her sobbing. By the end, his smile was so big that Temari raised an eyebrow. He answered by kissing her so long that it made some of their guests, including his mother, blush.