"Say Mirai, Mi-rai. Miiirrraaaiii."
"Mi-miwa."
"No, not Miwa, Mirai."
"MIWA!" Shikadai cooed as he clapped his chubby hands together. He puffed his cheeks and continued. "MIWA MIWA!"
Mirai looked at the babbling baby before her. She laughed.
"That's right Dai, you're so smart. Say it again."
"MIWA!" he repeated happily.
...
"You really think Mirai will be fine babysitting Shikadai?"
"What are you talking about? He's a Nara, how hard can it be?"
Temari placed her hands and pouted at her husband.
"I'm serious Shikamaru, I love Mirai but I still think we should have left him at your mother's place."
"You worry too much woman. If he's anything like me, Mirai wont have any trouble at all. Just be glad she was available to babysit so we could have a date."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Have I ever told you about how my dad thought I died as a baby?"
Temari's eyes widened. "You never told me this, what happened?" Clearly he had her attention.
Shikamaru shrugged. "Nothing, apparently I slept so much as a baby my dad got paranoid. Mom says he would check to see if I was breathing because of how little I moved."
Temari laughed. "Sounds like my husband alright." Together they walked through the night back to the Nara household.
"Mirai we back!"
Nothing.
Shikamaru and Temari looked at each other.
"I'll get the camera." She whispered to him. "You find out what room they're in"
Shikamaru nodded and began to scout the house. The kitchen was empty besides a messy highchair, the living room had a few toys tossed around. He quietly walked up stairs. If they weren't downstairs that only left a few options left. Peeking into the nursery Shikamaru felt his heart melt. Whistling to his wife he walked into the room.
"I got the camera where ar- awww"
Before them were Mirai and Shikadai, both of them fast asleep on the rocking chair. Shikadai curled himself into her arms as he began to suck his little thumb.
"I'll call Kurenai and tell her Mirai is staying over." Shikamaru said softly as he placed a blanket over the little ones.
Temari nodded, she raised the camera.
*click*
This is one was going in the scrapbook.
"Hold it, hold it... Now! RELEASE IT NOW."
Mirai jumped into the, her hands moving quickly.
"WIND RELEASE!"
A powerful gust of wind emanated from her towards Temari. Temari raised her tessen into a defensive position.
"Not bad, you're getting better each day." She said as Mirai landed in a near by branch.
"You really think so?"
Temari surveyed the damage behind her. A few dummies were completely destroyed, the tress faired much better even if the thinner branches were blown away.
"Hm, at this rate you'll be ready for the Chunin Exam in no time."
Mirai landed next to Temari.
"I heard from Uncle Shino that you and Shikamaru-nii won't the proctors this year. How come?"
"Blagh, the council are worried we might give you an unfair advantage. If anything knowing you'll be taking the exams would make us be harder on you." Temari explained. "But even so, I know you have what it takes to become a Chunin. You're learning from the best Wind Release user after all."
Mirai wiped sweat from her forehead and smiled at Temari.
"Yeah, you're right. Thank you, Temari."
"Don't mention it kid. Now remember once you get your opponent in the air you have two choices. You can continue to use Wind Release or you can use your genjutsu to your advantage. Keep your distance at all times." Temari stepped away from Mirai and assumed an attack position.
"Show me what you got Sarutobi!"
"Hai, sensei!"
"Next!"
Mirai walked into the Hokage's office. Kakashi sat in his desk with Shikamaru standing to him. The later smiling proudly.
"Hokage-sama."
"Ma, no need to be so formal Mirai-chan. Just call me Kakashi." He waved her off.
"Oh right, sorry Kakashi-sama."
Kakashi chuckled, well he tried. "Mirai-chan, do you know why you're here?"
"Hai, it's to get the results from my chunin exams."
"Correct. Shikamaru, if you would." Shikamaru stepped away from Kakashi and walked towards Mirai. In his hands a flak vest. Kakashi continued.
"Mirai Sarutobi, granddaughter of the Third Hokage. I hereby promote you to chunin rank." As he spoke he left his desk, walking towards the pair until he stood in front of Mirai. "Your father would be so proud of you."
Mirai's eyes watered at the words spoken to her by one of her parent's closest friends. Oh how she wished her father was there to see her now. Kakashi took the vest from Shikamaru and placed it on Mirai. "You've done well Mirai, I'm proud to call you a kunoichi of the Leaf." He ruffled her hair. "Shikamaru, I believe you have something for our precious Mirai-chan as well?"
Shikamaru could hardly contain himself.
"Hai, Kakashi."
Kakashi smiled through his mask. "I'll leave you to it." He said as he walked out of his office. He did not miss the single tear that crept down her cheek
'Tough girl, sure reminds me of someone, right Asuma. She's just like you when you were younger.' He thought to himself as left Shikamaru and Mirai alone.
"Mirai? Are you alright?"
Mirai nodded as she wiped tears from her eyes.
"You really think Dad is proud of me?" She said as she adjust her new vest on her small frame.
"I know he would be. And, I know he'd want you to have these."
Shikamaru knelt down and placed a scroll on the ground. Mirai watched intensely as he placed his hand on the scroll and began to summon something.
'No way. Are those?' Mirai gasped.
Shikamaru pretended not to notice as he picked up the objects he summoned.
"Mirai, do you what these are?" He asked her.
"Are those, dads chakra blades?"
Shikamaru nodded and extended them towards her.
"He would have wanted you to have them. And now that you're a chunin, I think it's time they belonged to you." He said gently.
Mirai reached towards them slowly, as if they'd disappear if she were to hold them. Her father's chakra blades, her family heirloom, right there in front her.
"Go on."
Mirai took the blades into her hands. Something about them felt right. As if she finally found something she never knew was something.
Shikamaru placed his hand on her shoulder. "Come one, let's go home. I'm sure your mother is waiting."
Mirai clutched her father's chakra blades closer. In that moment something changed inside her. Suddenly chunin wasn't good enough for her. No, she's a Sarutobi, granddaughter of Sandaime Hokage. Her mother is one of the top genjutsu user in Konoha, and her father...
Mirai closed her eyes, her father gave his life for her before she was even born. There was a fire that was sparked in her. Chunin wasnt good enough, she had to get stronger. Not just for her sakes but for the village's sake as well.
From the doorframe Shikamaru watched as Mirai's demeanor changed.
"Mirai?"
She opened her eyes and turned towards him. There in her eyes was something Shikamaru recognized. Something Shikamaru was hoping to pass on to her along with the chakra blades. Something Asuma passed on to him when he was younger.
In her, he could see it. The Will of Fire.
"Shikamaru is gone to Suna with Naruto and Kakashi for a Kage conference. I shouldn't be long, maybe a week at most. Fridge is stocked, Yoshino is down the street if you need anything. Oh and before I forget, keep him away from those stupid video games. That boy needs his sunlight." Temari rambled as she grabbed her tessen from the wall.
"Don't worry Temari, I can handle Shikadai. You just focus on your mission." Mirai said sweetly, too sweetly.
"You're right. SHIKADAI BE GOOD OKAY!" The Nara matriarch called out as she headed towards the village gates.
Mirai waved goodbye until Temari was out of sight. Closing the door behind her she walked further into the home.
"Shiiikkaaadaaaii where are yoouu? Aren't you going to say hello to your nee-chan?"
Upstairs the young boy didn't move an inch.
'Hiding again huh, do you really think you can outsmart me?' She thought to herself as she slowly examined the house. Of course she knew where the boy was hiding and a little fun wouldn't hurt.
Shikadai was getting nervous, his mom had left a while ago and Mirai still hadn't found him. Maybe she gave up. Unlikely, then again. He groaned, his hiding spot was cramp. He could hear the TV downstairs. The nine year old boy ran his options through his head. He could come out of his hiding spot and make a run for it or he can stay put and hope Mirai didn't find him. He had to make decision and quick. Time was ticking by fast.
'Ticking? Oh no' he released. Too late.
"Shikadaaiii there you are!" Mirai's red eyes spelled nothing but trouble. Shikadai gulped as their eyes made contact. Before he knew it he wasnt hiding in a cabinet upstairs, actually he didn't know where he was. It looked like Konoha, but different. More foresty.
"Thank you Dai, so generous of you to volunteer to help me with my genjutsu." Mirai's sarcastic remark rang from all directions.
"I didn't volunteer! Mirai! Whhhyyy."
"Oh hush, consider it early genjutsu training for you. You'll have an advantage in the academy if you can dispel genjutsu early on. "
Shikadai couldn't pinpoint her location. It frustrated him, but he refused give the satisfaction of dispelling her genjutsu. Stubborn, just like his mother.
"Shiikkkaadaaaiii, if you don't dispel the jutsu, I'll have to use HIM."
Shikadai's teal eyes widen before narrowing in suspicion. "You wouldn't dare, you promised!" The ground below him grumbled.
"I promised I wouldn't tell your parents, I promised nothing about using HIM during genjutsu practice."
"Mirraiii!" No, he wouldn't dispel the jutsu, he could face HIM anytime. Mirai was bluffing, there way no way she's use that against him.
That's when he heard HIM.
"Jashin! I have you a sacrifice!" A black and white hand shot from the ground and grabbed Shikadai from the ankle.
"MIRRAAAAIIIII!" He should have never told Mirai about the man in his nightmares. The nine-year old screamed as the skeleton man clung onto his other ankle. Shikadai raised his hands together. "Release!"
He stumbled forward, he felt his body jerk midair. He stared at the wooden floor below him.
"Not bad, but you need to learn to release immediately after being trapped." Mirai let go of him. He didn't bother breaking his fall.
"Mirai?" Shikadai said facedown on the floor. "We're in peace time, right?"
"Hm? Sure, for now I guess." She replied as she nudged him with her foot. Forcing him to roll over onto his stomach.
"If there's no threat, why do we train?" Shikadai frowned.
Mirai loved him, Shikadai was precious to her in the same way she was precious to Shikamaru. But she envied him, he never knew war, nor will he fully comprehend the sacrifices that were made. "Peace... peace doesn't always last, Dai."
Shikadai stared at the ceiling above him, his eyes trained on the ceiling fan above him. "You were there, weren't you? With Mom and Dad, during the war."
She sighed, but the curiosity in her brother's eyes told her all she needed to know. "Not exactly," stepping over the Nara she made her way to the bed. "I was born in the middle of the war, too little to remember what happened thankfully. But even growing up I saw the effect it had on everyone. Heck, some weirdo threatened to destroy us all with moon, ON my second birthday!" They both chuckled. "I know we're in peace time right now Dai, but we wont always be. I want to be able to protect the village, and those precious to me, including you. But I also want you to be strong too. I love you, you're my little brother after all."
Shikadai looked at the person he called his older sister. There was something about her that couldn't identify, something he saw in his parents as well. Determination that quietly burned in their eyes. Picking himself off the ground, he decided.
"Mirai? Can you teach me how to release genjutsu again?"
'She should be around here somewhere.' Shikadai thought to himself. He wondered around the outskirt of Konoha. The forest burned with the color of the sunset as he walked towards a nearby bridge. "Mirai-nee! Mirraaaaiiii! Where are you?!"
"Shikadai? Over here!"
He followed her voice to the center of the bridge. "Mirai?"
"Under the bridge you genius."
Shikadai peered over the bridge, sure enough there she was and she did not look happy. Her jonin
uniform was dirty, she was tied up, unable to get back on the bridge.
"Found you nee-san." He stated, he couldn't help but to grin.
She glared at him. "Just help me up and I'll treat you to barbeque. Sound good?"
Shikadai nodded eagerly. "So how's you end up tied up under the bridge nee-san." He asked as he began to pull her up. Secretly grateful Mirai was petite, so pulling her up wasnt difficult.
Mirai huffed angrily "Konohamaru cashed in a favor I owed him. Turns out his brats wanted to change teams and he wanted to give them a lesson in teamwork."
"I think I remember Boruto and Sarada talking about that earlier." Shikadai commented as he managed to pull Mirai back onto the bridge.
"Stupid jerk forgot me on purpose."
"Knowing Konohamaru-sensei, I wouldn't be surprised.
Mirai practically radiated Killing Intent as she freed herself from her ropes. Shikadai gulped. 'Rest in peace Konohamaru-sensei, it was nice knowing you.'
...
Somewhere in Konoha Konohamaru sat down with his new team.
"ACHOO!"
"Konohamaru-nii, are you okay?" Boruto asked.
Konohamaru sniffled, "I'm fine, I think I'm just catching a cold. Although, I cant help but to feel like I forgot something.
Mitsuki smiled at his sensei, 'You're a dead man Konohamaru-sensei.'
"I think Shikadai has a crush." Mirai stated plainly at the dinner table with the Nara's. Shikamaru immediately began to choke on his drink where as Temari simply raised an eyebrow.
"My little fawn?" She asked.
Mirai nodded as she continued to eat her meal, completely ignoring the startled patriarch.
"So, tell me. I want to know everything about this person." Temari said eagerly.
"Tem! Should we really being prying? What if it's all a misunderstanding?" Shikamaru already knew it was a lost cause. Temari's eyes twinkled with mischief. His only saving grace was that his son was sleeping over at Ino's place.
"Didn't it take you till after the war to ask Temari-nee out a date."
Shikamaru sighed in defeat, he was outnumbered. "Who is it?"
Mirai smirked, "Just some blonde haired girl from Suna. I think I saw them fighting during the Chunin Exams. Sound familiar?
"YODO?!" The Nara couple exclaimed simultaneously.
Shikamaru was dumbstruck, unable to comprehend the words that came out of Mirai's mouth. Temari on the other hand was excited.
"My little fawn has a crush! Shika! Shika, did you hear! And it's actually a girl! Not one of those fictional 2D women boys his age get excited about."
Mirai giggled as the two went back and fourth. Her job here was done, she quietly thanked them for having her over and put her plate in the kitchen before slipping out the back door.
It had been a long week for her. Her mission was almost jeopardized by a careless chunin who wanted to play hero. Her whole team was nearly wiped out due to that kid. She was lucky, and she knew it. She sighed, it's never easy coming back home with a corpse. Staring into the black inky sky she was just happy her team all made it back in one piece.
"Hey Mirai." Mirai turned towards the young man behind her. 'He's grown up so much.'
"Hello Shikadai, nice vest."
Shikadai chuckled, "Thanks, my old man is real proud, Mom is too."
"They should be, you're a jonin now, and at sixteen too... I'm proud of you Dai." She stared at him. He had gotten taller than her. He looked almost identical to his father. Well, almost. Unlike Shikamaru at sixteen, Shikadai carried himself with pride and confidence. He never slouched. His teal eyes were proof of how much he took after his mother. So did his smile. Still, she couldn't help but to see him far younger than he was now. She missed him being little.
"Thanks Mirai, it helps a lot that I had a great mentor." He said as he sat down next to her. "I heard about your mission... I'm glad you're back, nee-san."
Even though he didn't say it, he was worried. Ever since he heard that Mirai's team was sabotaged mid-mission he couldn't help but to think of the worst. Then her team didn't arrive back on the expected date, he was about ready to head out on his own to find her. His own father had to restrain him from leaving. It wasn't until Mirai's team came back that he finally let himself cry. Mirai meant so much to him, she's always been by side since as long as he can remember. She was his family, not by blood but by bonds.
'Guess I'm big ol' crybaby, just like dad.' He thought to himself as he pushed the negative possibilities away. Mirai was here now, she was back. And he couldn't be any more relieved.
They sat there in silence as they watched the stars twinkle in the night.
"Hey Mirai?"
Mirai turned towards Shikadai, who was currently leaning on her shoulder. "Yeah?"
"I'm glad you're okay... I love you nee-san."
There it was again, nee-san. Mirai chuckled, he must have been really worried then.
"I love you too, otouto."
A/N: Well here it is, the final chapter. Hope you guys enjoyed this story. It was fun writing about Mirai and Shikadai, they're some of my favorite characters but they arent usually written about on fanfic. As always, feel free to leave a review or comment. Also, check out my other Shikadai-centeric story for more Naruto related content. See ya around, Ink out.