Disclaimer: 'Naruto' is owned by Masashi Kishimoto
Shadows in the Wind
3: Getting Troublesome
Shikamaru felt the bed move, then heard rapid footsteps followed by the bathroom door closing. Again? How troublesome. "Temari?" He called, "Are you okay?"
"Ya. I'm a kunoichi. I think I can handle a little morning sick.../" She was cut off with more vomiting.
Shikamaru sighed, and finally got out of bed. She won't feel like any breakfast today. He got his jacket and the weapons for his mission, then went to the kitchen to get himself something to eat.
He ate silently and watched as Temari finally came out of the bathroom and headed back to her pillow. Shikamaru set his empty bowl in the sink with hot water, then opened the refrigerator to make a light lunch. Once the pickles were in place, he set the meal back into the refrigerator just in case Temari changed her mind.
Quietly, he went into the dark bedroom. Leaning over his wife's quiet form, he gave her a kiss on the cheek. "I'll be back for supper." he whispered.
Her head nearly hit his as she bolted upright and rushed back to the bathroom.
.~.
"Shikamaru!" A jolly voice called.
Shikamaru looked up and smiled. "Hey Chouji." He greeted his friend. "What's up?"
"Nothing much. The kids were asleep when I left."
He couldn't help but smile at Chouji. "How's Ino?" he asked.
"Oh, she's good. She's going to visit Temari while we're gone. By the way, how is she?"
"Just as scary as ever."
The large man laughed as he opened a bag of potato chips and took a mouthful. He offered some to Shikamaru. "Ino said she was sick."
Shikamaru nodded. "Ya. Still. I had to make my own breakfast again."
Chouji smiled. "It's not that bad Shikamaru. Don't worry. It won't last forever."
.~.
"...Are you sure?" Temari asked, hugging her pillow.
"Of course I am. I'm a Mednin and I have been through it twice. I think I know a little about being pregnant."
Temari watched Akimichi Ino open the curtains.
"How do you feel?" Ino asked.
Temari paused a little. "...I think some lunch sounds a little good."
"Great. Anything specific?"
There was another pause. "...No. Just nothing heavy. I want it to stay down for a while."
Temari followed Ino into the kitchen.
"It's already been a month. I'm surprised you don't have any cravings."
Temari looked at Ino over her glass of water. "Hm?"
Ino turned. "I said..." She paused then smiled. "Oh, ...nothing." She opened the refrigerator. "I started craving a few weeks in. Man, Chouji sure got it a few days later when my craving changed."
"It changes?"
Ino pulled out a few items. "Ya. It was twice every week for me for the first month. ...How long has this been in here?"
Temari refilled her cup. "I don't know," she said not turning around.
Ino scrunched her nose as she took the salad with rice and pickles to the trash. "When in doubt, throw it out."
Temari turned around. "...Maybe I'll have a salad or something. Last time Shikamaru made one for me before he went to collect antlers.
Ino froze. "...With rice and pickles?"
Temari poked her head into the refrigerator. "Ya."
Ino looked into the garbage can, and forced a smile. "...Heh heh. ...Great."
"Ya, actually. Maybe I should be sick more often."
.~.
Temari slowly made her way back to bed. She didn't even bother to turn on the light. I thought we only got morning sickness. She slumped across the bed, looking at the empty pillow. It's supper time.
She sighed, hoping that nothing bad happened. Some Chunin missions tended to become bigger then expected. He can handle it.
She turned on a lamp and opened the letter from her brothers. Kankuro had become head of the Anbu Black Ops of Suna since she had seen them last. With his new position, and Gaara being Kazekage, the letters were few and far between. Even if Kankuro was the one who wrote them, she was pretty sure that Gaara was the one who made certain she received a letter at least every month or so.
Hey Tem. We heard the good news. Hope all is well and all that. Gaara wants me to make sure that I tell you we are happy for you. Of course I am happy! I'll be an uncle! Gaara's excited too, even if he won't admit it out loud. People keep asking about you. It's quite annoying really. It's like 'hey, I know she's my sister and all, but she lives three days running from here. It's not like I know what she's doing or anything.' Oh. Gaara came in and said hi.
The last little part was written by Gaara.
Don't let Kankuro fool you. He's always bragging to every one that he will be an uncle. He's been working with a man and asked about being an Uncle. According to him, an uncle spoils kids. Anyways, I am happy you are well. Make sure you take care and that Shikamaru-san is watching over you. We love you Temari-chan.
Gaara and Kankuro
Temari put the letter back into the envelope, and into the drawer. She pressed her face into the two pillows feeling a different sickness overtake her. She could see Kankuro teaching his niece or nephew about puppets, and doing little puppet shows. She changed her thoughts when the wondered about what kind they might be. Oh well. That's Kankuro.
Gaara. He seemed good with the situation. But her youngest brother hasn't been one on one with a kid, let alone around babies. Besides, what did they know about being uncles? What did she know about being a mother? Did mother have thoughts like this? It was awkward to think that word, but it seemed fit for this situation. Yoshino was the closest person she had for a mother. Shikamaru's family had became hers, yet she never called them mom or dad. Then again, Shikamaru and her brothers hadn't been close like brothers, even after they accepted each other.
Shikamaru and Gaara, being leaders, were really good at keeping peace. Gaara and Kankuro had become close these past years. Shikamaru and Kankuro had their arguments, but looking at friends and families, brothers tended to do that. Perhaps it wasn't as bad as she thought.
She touched her stomach. She closed her eyes and hoped that her and Shikamaru's children would get along, and be close. She envisioned their children growing and learning how to play Shogi with their dad, and taking family trips to see their uncles for Christmas in the warm dessert.
Slowly, Temari's eyes drifted shut, pictures forming before her eyes as she faintly heard the front door open.
Author's notes:
What do you think? Once again, I couldn't have done this without Mommy Bear.