Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
[Summary: Shikadai and Shikamaru plan a surprise for Temari's birthday]
"Tou-chan, what're we doing for kaa-chan's birthday today?"
Shikadai ambushed his dad just as he was making his way downstairs. Shikamaru looked like he had only slept for a few short hours; there were bags under his eyes, his gaze was unfocused, and he looked much older than a man in his late 20s. Looking at him, Shikadai guessed he had another long night in the office and almost felt bad for asking.
However, at the mention of his wife's birthday, Shikamaru's eyes flew open. He whipped his head left and right, as if to see if there was anyone eavesdropping, before bending down to Shikadai's height.
"Don't speak too loudly. Do you want your mom to know we're planning something?" He whispered.
Shikadai rolled his eyes. "Sakura nee-san and Ino nee-san called mom out early so they could celebrate," he reminded. "Didn't kaa-chan tell you?"
In the back of his mind, Shikamaru could vaguely recall Temari telling him something along those lines the other night, but he had been too exhausted to listen properly. "Right," he grunted out. To clear his hazy memory, Shikamaru headed towards the kitchen for a cup of coffee
Shikadai followed after him.
"So, what's the plan? It's troublesome but we should get whatever it is done before she comes back." Shikadai grew impatient as he watched his old man brew coffee.
Shikamaru leaned back on the counter and stroked his growing goatee, deep in thought. "I could make a reservation at the most expensive restaurant in Konoha," he suggested after a few seconds. "Temari said she'd wanted to try their food at least once."
An image of the restaurant popped into his mind, and Shikadai shook his head. "Mom wouldn't want to spend her birthday in such a stuffy place," he reasoned. "It stinks of snobby rich businessmen, the kind she dislikes."
Shikamaru raised an eyebrow at that. Since when had his son become a spokesperson for what Temari would like or dislike? It's her birthday. He wants to make it special. Shikamaru told himself. "Then what do you suggest we do?" He asked as he took a sip of coffee.
"A picnic in the Nara Forest." Shikadai's answer was immediate. Clearly, that was what he had in mind all along. "Mom likes the fresh air there and it's her favorite spot for star-gazing." The corner of his lips turned up as he pictured his mom's rare gentle smile directed at him.
Shikamaru took one look at Shikadai's beaming expression and gulped. He didn't know how to tell him that the Nara Forest isn't as perfect as he imagined it to be. For one thing, there was an immortal Akatsuki buried underneath its grounds, screaming to cut off his head. He had mentioned that to Temari when he was touring her around the forest, but hadn't gotten around to introducing his son to one of the many things he will inherit once he becomes the Head of the Nara Clan. No matter how wide the forest is, Shikamaru doubt Temari would be comfortable knowing the murderer of his sensei was out there while she tried to enjoy her birthday. It wouldn't be…romantic.
He cleared his throat. "That…won't be such a good idea," he hesitantly put into words. He decided it wasn't the best time to go into the topic of Hidan. It was a conversation for another day. Nevertheless, Shikamaru didn't miss how Shikadai's shoulders sagged in disappointment.
"Why?!" Shikadai demanded to know. There wasn't a single flaw in his plan, he was sure of it.
He thought fast. "Temari's been in there too many times. Don't you think she would be sick of it by now?"
A frown crossed Shikadai's face as he thought it over. "I don't think she'd been going there at all lately," he argued.
Shikamaru resisted the urge to groan. Why did his son have to inherit his mom's spunk? Troublesome. "I just think it'll be better if she tries something new today," He tried to reason out, even as Shikadai's face was set.
"Mom doesn't need to go to some fancy restaurant when she can relax and have more freedom in the Nara Forest. Besides, she'll be tired after a long day with Ino nee-san."
"Shikadai…"
"No! I know my plan is better!"
Shikamaru rubbed the spot between his eyebrows in frustration as he tried to think of a way to get Shikadai to change his mind. He returned Shikadai's determined gaze with one of his own.
Why does he have to be so stubborn? They thought at the same time.
Realizing that neither of them was going to fold, Shikamaru let out a deep sigh and raised a hand as a peace offering. "Listen. We're going nowhere with this, so how about we compromise?" He knew Shikadai was smart enough to know the word.
"Compromise how?" Shikadai's eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"You said so yourself. Temari would be worn out after spending an entire day with Ino and Sakura. Ino especially. So don't you think it'll be tiring to have to walk all the way to the Nara Forest or to the restaurant for dinner?"
Shikadai lowered his eyes at the realization. "I guess…so what are you suggesting we do?"
"Let's have dinner here instead," Shikamaru decided with a small grin. "We can cook her dinner for once and buy a cake from her favorite bakery. It's simple, but do you think she'll like it?"
After thinking it over in his head, Shikadai slowly nodded in affirmation. "Yeah. I think mom will like it."
Relieved at finally reaching a decision, Shikamaru affectionately patted Shikadai's head. "C'mon, it's troublesome but we got some work to do."
After spending an exhausting amount of time shopping with Ino and Sakura, Temari came home to find all the lights out.
"I'm home!" She called from the door. Her eyebrows furrowed at the silence that followed. She flipped the light switch, but even as light flooded the room there was still no sign of either of her boys. Where were they?
She heard something rustling in the kitchen, so she made her way over there. The second she stepped foot inside, Shikamaru and Shikadai yelled, "Surprise!"
Temari's eyes widened at the sight. Spread on the table was a selection of Suna dishes she had been craving and missing for months, and placed at the center was a cake she'd recognized from her favorite bakery.
Her eyes focused on the food. "Did you cook all this?" She asked in shock.
"Well, yeah. After a few trial and errors." The two Nara boys modestly shrugged at each other.
"Do you like it?" Shikadai's voice betrayed his nervousness.
There was a few seconds of silence before Temari turned towards them, eyes shining and flashing the rare gentle smile they both love so much.
"I love it. Thank you."
Shikamaru and Shikadai both beamed at the approval and quickly proceeded on giving her their birthday gift.
Shikadai stood on a chair beside Temari, while Shikamaru went over to her other side. They leaned in together to give her pecks on the cheeks.
"Happy Birthday."
This is just a little something I wrote for Temari's birthday last August 23. Hope y'all like it :)
