Chapter 4:Floating Cloud In A Gentle Wind
Shikamaru was exhausted. He was thankful to whatever Gods that may be for his idea of bringing the baby to the park. He had been right. Hizuren was used to coming to the park with his mother and was gurgling happily at the birds and the leaves. He had crawled a little distance away to roll in the leaves, leaving Shikamaru free for some rest. He still had no idea how he was going to do it for three more days. He had never thought that babies were so much of a hassle.
He turned to look at Hizuren playing, happy. Still, he thought smiling, he guessed they were worth it all. He thought of his own plans, the ones he had made when other kids his age were thinking about graduating the academy.
He closed his eyes and smiled, remembering how he had decided that he wanted a girl and a boy. But first, he would need to find himself a girl. A girl who was not too beautiful or a hag. A girl who would take him for what he was. Where would he find one-?.
"Oi, you lazy bum. Wake up."
Shikamaru opened one eye and saw his vision filled by sand colored hair and green eyes. Green eyes that he remembered so well.
"Well, Well. If it isn't the scary woman. Didn't know you were in Konoha. What are you doing here of all places?" Shikamaru asked opening both his eyes.
That was a valid question, Temari thought. What was she doing here?. She had decided to go sit in the park for some time before she went to her inn. She had been strolling when she came upon a familiar sight- the lazy ass taking a nap. Her feet had automatically moved in his direction. Instead of saying that, she chose to interpret his question in a broader sense.
"I came to take some scrolls back to my village, but they aren't here yet, so I am to play the tourist until they do." She replied, sliding down on the grass against the tree. Shikamaru closed his eyes again. "Having fun yet?" he asked.
"Not really. I don't know much about the village other than that was required for my stays here and I've never gone anyplace else here." Temari said and glanced down at the Nara.
"You came to our anniversary lunch" reminded Shikamaru, eyes still closed.
"That was the only time" Temari replied.
"So, you haven't been assigned an escort?" Shikamaru asked.
"No I refused a genin Hokage-sama offered me." Temari answered, unbuckling her fan and laying it down next to her.
"Why?" Shikamaru asked.
"I didn't need to be taken to all the sweet shops around Konoha." Temari snapped back.
"Geez... just saying. …. troublesome." Shikamaru closed his eyes.
"I heard you were supposed to be really busy. 'Hands full' if I remember Hokage-sama's words correctly. " Temari asked, trying to change the topic.
"I am." Shikamaru said.
"Don't look busy right now." Temari smiled at him.
"Don't jinx it" Shikamaru frowned.
"You aren't the superstitious type. " Temari stretched out her legs.
"Well right now, I'm not taking any chances that I'm wrong." Shikamaru sighed.
"What's got you so bad? Deciphering something with that glasses girl?" Temari asked, remembering the absentminded girl that she had met the last time she had come to Konoha. She had been amused and surprised to find that the girl had a crush on the lazy ninja.
"Glasses girl? You mean Shiho? No haven't been to the crypt department in a while. But I'd gladly trade a cipher with this job." Shikamaru shook his head.
"Then what is so hard that's got you crying jinx." Temari asked curious. There weren't many things that could get the genius so busy.
"That." Shikamaru pointed towards a pile of leaves.
"You're being made to pick up leaves?" Temari asked incredulous.
"What? Are you drunk? Why would they make me do that?" Shikamaru sat up.
"Well, you tell me. You were the one pointing at the leaves." Temari fired back.
"I wasn't pointing to the pile of leaves. I was pointing to what is in it." Shikamaru nodded.
"In it-?" Temari turned and looked at the leaves again. She stood up and walked to the pile of leaves and then she saw it.
"A baby?" asked Temari wide-eyed. She was looking at a baby. A very cute baby.
"Don't scare him. If he starts to cry he won't stop." Shikamaru warned.
"Why would I want to scare him, idiot?" Temari shot back at him, crouching next to the baby. "You are on a baby-sitting job?" she asked chuckling. She picked up a few leaves and showered them on Hizuren, who laughed happily. "He reminds me of someone, whose baby is he?" Temari asked looking back at Shikamaru.
Shikamaru sighed and got up, dusted himself and walked to the girl and the baby. "Asuma and Kurenai-sensei's. His name is Sarutobi Hizuren."
"Sarutobi Hizuren? Wasn't that the Third Hokage's name as well?"Temari asked as she tickled little Hizuren's tummy.
"Yeah." Shikamaru answered.
"How come you're baby-sitting him?" Temari asked and picked up Hizuren.
"Kurenai-sensei has the flu'. The girls are either out on missions or too busy. Since I promised Asuma to take care of him, I'm just starting a little early than I thought." Shikamaru answered back.
Temari tossed Hizuren in the air a few times, to the enjoyment of Hizuren and horror of Shikamaru.
"Oi woman, what are you doing? He'll start crying." Shikamaru almost shouted.
"No he won't, stupid. Can't you see, he's having fun. You really don't have any idea about little kids do you?" Temari sniggered. "No wonder you have your hands full."
Hizuren started trying to catch Temari's hair in his hands, completely oblivious of the panic he was putting Shikamaru into.
"You don't know how it is like. He just cries and cries and cries. There is literally no stopping him." Shikamaru said keeping a vary eye on Hizuren's antics.
"He's just a baby. He can't talk, so any form of communication is done through crying. Since he is so young, he has only a handful of requirements. Take care of them and he'll stop crying, stupid." Temari laughed at Shikamaru's expression as Hizuren yawned and settled onto Temari's shoulder . "See?"
"Did you bring any sheets or blankets with you?" Temari asked Shikamaru, looking around.
"No. I didn't think we would need them." Shikamaru shook his head.
"Always be prepared, with a kid. My uncle taught me that." Temari said as she sat down against the tree, in the shade. "Take off your vest, and lay it down here." Temari pointed next to her.
"Why?" Shikamaru raised his eyebrow.
"Hizuren is feeling sleepy. If you don't let him sleep soon, he WILL cry." Temari warned.
Shikamaru immediately took of his vest. In fact, the fastest Temari had ever seen anyone take off a jacket. Shikamaru was really scared of the kid crying, thought Temari amused. She made a mental note of it for future ribbing.
"Here we go." Temari said as she lay Hizuren down on the vest and closed it. Hizuren reached out and clutched at Temari's fingers, taking hold of one. Shikamaru looked at Hizuren and sighed.
"Well, That's done for no-" He stopped as he saw Temari looking down at Hizuren, surprised. He would never have thought it possible to see such a soft expression on this scary woman's face. Such a gentle smile on her lips as her green eyes looked on at the baby falling asleep.
"Isn't he adorable?" Temari whispered, her eyes shining. She lay down next to Hizuren, who still had a firm hold of her finger and closed her eyes. "Asleep in a moment, a lazy ass, just like you."
"Well, sorry for being a lazy ass, but I don't intend to change." Shikamaru replied, suddenly irritable. Everybody told him that he was too lazy, Ino, Sakura, his mother, even Shiho had said that he made her sleepy and Hinata had just looked embarrassed as if she agreed.
Why couldn't they just let him be, like his dad,Asuma, Chouji, Naruto, Shino, kiba and even Rock Lee? Then he realized Temari was speaking.
"Of course, you shouldn't. Why should you? If you were energetic like that green guy or that brat Naruto, you wouldn't be You." Temari said, her eyes still closed. "Even if you lack motivation generally, you work hard for your village. Everybody knows that. Even Bali thought you were good during that chuunin exam. And let me tell you, Bali is a miser when it comes to compliments. It is the truth. An energetic version of you would be too troublesome. You are good just the way you are."
"Huh-?" Shikamaru had his mouth open, which he closed as soon he realized it. He lay back against the tree trunk feeling a little confused. He remembered all the times he had been told that he should come out of his lazy habits, now that he was a chuunin.
"Are you pulling my leg, you scary woman? You are the one who always calls me a lazy ass." Shikamaru asked quietly. When he got no reply he glanced down at the duo on the ground beside him. Temari's breathing was as rhythmic as Hizuren's. She looked so peaceful. Shikamaru felt a..a...a something, as if he had misjudged the distance of a branch in his jump and had tried to step on air.
"Troublesome" Shikamaru said, as he looked away. He looked at the carefree clouds floating away, in a gentle wind. He smiled and closed his eyes.
Well, I tried to keep both of them inside their characters. Hope you like it.
For people who do not like ShikaTema- Please no bashing.
I have a presentation coming up. Will be busy till tuesday, will try to update soon though. ^_^