A/N: The proper way to refer to a senior female who's not related to you is "obasan", or "aunt". It's traditional in Japan for a new bride to learn how to make the miso soup recipe her husband was raised with. Even though they're not married at this point, Yoshino's getting antsy.
Disclaimer: Not Kishimoto OR his twin.
A Proper Wife-Chapter 3"How's this obasan?" Temari asked holding out a spoon for Yoshino to taste.
The older woman licked her lips thoughtfully.
"A touch more garlic and you've got it," she said.
Yoshino had asked her son's girlfriend over that afternoon in order to teach her the Nara family's miso soup recipe. Even though the pair wasn't married Yoshino felt it was only a matter of time. It seemed that everyone except the lady in question believed that Temari would be the perfect wife for Shikamaru. The Konoha genius and the Suna kunoichi had been together almost a year now and she'd already turned him down flat…twice.
Not one to be easily dissuaded, Yoshino went about in small, unassuming ways preparing Temari for her role as a member of the Nara clan. She knew the younger woman had little to no memory of her own mother, and Yoshino had never been able to have the longed for daughter. The shared sense of loss led to an instant connection between them that solidified into a friendship.
"Now?" The blonde asked offering the spoon again.
"Perfect," Yoshino said tasting the flavors that had long been instilled in her own palate. "Now let's eat."
Temari filled the soup bowls and poured the tea while Yoshino served the rice and fish.
"You did an excellent job," Yoshino remarked taking a bite of fish and closing her eyes. "Just perfect."
Temari smiled at the praise. She enjoyed the rare times when it was just the two of them, she didn't have to guard what she said or exhaust herself with politeness and diplomacy. Yoshino had been a kunoichi, and a formidable one at that. She understood.
"So you're leaving in the morning?"
"Hai," Temari replied. "I just had to finish up some negotiations here and then Gaara needs me to attend a wedding in his stead. I have to stop in Sunagakure for the specifics and then I'm off again."
Yoshino pursed her lips, the tone Temari used when she said the word "wedding" wasn't lost on her.
"You don't like weddings, do you?"
"It's not the weddings I don't like," Temari stirred her soup choosing her words carefully. "It's what comes after. People change once they're married, and it's not always for the better."
"You sound as though you speak from experience," Yoshino mused. "That's why you're afraid to marry my son, isn't it?"
Temari's eyes widened and she struggled not to choke on the mouthful of rice. It wasn't the bluntness of the question, it was the way Yoshino was able to read between the lines. Everyone always thought Shikamaru got his analytical mind from his father. Everyone had obviously not had a conversation with his mother.
Temari wasn't sure how to reply. She knew good and well whose wedding she was attending, and it made her sick inside because Gaara was still in the dark about her marriage. Her old nightmares had come back in force and she knew Shikamaru was worried about her even if he didn't say anything. Had he put his mother up to this?
"It is, isn't it?" Yoshino asked. The way Temari's face had grown pale emphasized the dark circles under her eyes. "What's keeping you from sleep?"
Her father's face swam before her eyes.
"Best to move on and forget it," he'd said.
She'd tried to do as he said, but had she moved on? She certainly hadn't forgotten. The bastard's grinning face was there every time she closed her eyes. Everyone she'd done battle with had worn his face, every life she'd taken had been him, and now she was due to see him alive and breathing, and taking yet another bride in just a few days time.
"Obasan," she said quietly. "There's something I have to tell you, I've never talked about it before and I'm not even sure if I can."
O-O-O
A half hour later, lunch sat forgotten. Yoshino's arms were around her adopted daughter and Temari was being rocked in a mother's embrace. Both women's faces were wet with tears, one making up for several years, the other shocked by what someone she loved was put through.
Temari was finally able to let go of the shame and anguish she'd stuffed for so long. Yoshino stroked her hair and whispered the words of comfort that a mother does to her child whose finally woken up from a hellish nightmare. Temari hadn't blamed her father, and as much as Yoshino wanted to rail against him she held her tongue. It would do no good to further upset the poor thing.
"You go on up to Shikamaru's old room and rest," she said. "I'll go by the apartment and pack your things. You're staying here tonight."
Temari nodded and allowed herself to be led up the stairs and tucked in. She sank down on the futon and within moments was fast asleep.
On her way home, Yoshino made a point to stop by the fish market and buy a fish that was large enough that if she pounded part of it to smithereens there's still be enough to grill for dinner. Her husband, Shikaku, noticed the agitation in her mannerisms all evening long and was puzzled by her efforts to conceal it. Normally his wife would make sure he knew in no uncertain terms and graphic detail what was bothering her. This sudden change disturbed him, but after years of marriage he was wise enough to not bring anything up until they were alone.
"Koibito, what…" was all he was able to get out. Yoshino grabbed him and kissed him with such force that when he was able to pull back his only focus was on breathing.
"Arigatou," was all she said before turning out the light.
The next morning Shikamaru saw Temari off just as always. After a kiss that was too brief for either of them she had one last thing to say to him, just as always.
"There's something we need to discuss once I've cleared up a few matters, okay?"
Shikamaru raised an eyebrow, "could you be a little more cryptic?"
She laughed and waved goodbye.
He scratched the back of his head.
"Troublesome," he grinned.
