Pathos VIII
A/N- Okay, I did not know that the birth control would spark two reviews saying Tenten should get pregnant. But one of the reviews gave me a nice idea for a scene that will be in this chapter, so I thank Laven for her comment . I myself believe a woman should be free to make any decisions regarding her body. But I know the Catholic Church is against that. In the actual Arabian nights The Queen did give birth to three sons, but this story is not that story. So there will be differences.
And I'm sorry about the late update I have just been so busy. This weekend, for example, I have been unable to sit down and polish my nails. And that is one of my most enjoyable activities.
Chapter 8. The Festival
Shikamaru sighed loudly as he strolled into the King's personal office. He was awake early and he absolutely hated rising early in the morning. He'd been extra careful to leave the harem rooms before Ino and Tenten had returned. He did not want to spark any rumors.
He heard the swish of sketchbook pages and sighed again. Sai was sitting in one of the most regal chairs flipping through his infernal sketchbook. Shikamaru did not want to deal with the King's artist. "What is it Sai?" Shikamaru asked.
"That is not a polite way to address your colleague in the morning Shikamaru." Sai said.
"But my colleague is well aware that I am not a morning person." Shikamaru said as he sat behind the desk. "So how can I help you?"
"I read this report last night. And I really want you to be aware of its existence." Sai said handing him the paper.
Shikamaru leaned back and closed his eyes after he read the paper. "My god man." He said. "The King cannot know of this at all! In fact, I want Iruka sent out to investigate the situation."
"Iruka? Why not Kakashi? I believe he is more suited for the job." Sai said.
"Kakashi will be used if I deem it necessary." Shikamaru said.
"As you wish, Nara-san." Sai said. As he rose to leave he turned and said, "You seem to like this marriage our King is in. Is there a special reason?"
"That is none of your concern." Shikamaru said. "You are dismissed."
As Sai left a smirk played across his pale features.
Later in the Harem rooms
Tenten was sitting with Hinata and Ino at the dining table. She was trying not to fall asleep as Ino droned on and on about her newest dress. She looked out a window longingly. Tenten had been married for almost two months now, and was getting a little anxious to go outdoors. She'd been stuck in the harem rooms for all of that time. Seeing her adoptive brother had only added to her worries.
Ino and Hinata noticed where Tenten's train of thoughts had gone and brought her back into their conversation.
"Tenten how is the king?" Ino asked.
"He is well. It is strange, throughout all this time he has not grown ill at all." Tenten said.
"Nii-san has always had a strong immune system." Hinata said. "And your lack of sickness is most likely due to the fact that you were raised in a rural setting, and now you live in this clean place."
"I agree." Tenten said.
"Hinata, will you and Naruto be going to the festival?" Ino asked.
"Yes we will. We arrived back from our honey moon just in time to celebrate another year of Nii-san's reign." Hinata said.
"Will one of you bring me a lantern?" Tenten asked. "I love the lanterns at the festivals so much."
Hinata smiled. "May I ask why?"
"Of course! As you know, I am originally from China. And in China I was adopted by my guardian Tsunade who brought me here." Tenten seemed to look off at the middle distance in remembrance of her story. "I remember being scared of this new land, and Tsunade knew it. When we arrived in this country there was a grand festival in a large port city, and Tsunade took me to it. I had never seen so many lights in all my little life, I thought I had been brought to the heavens and I was surrounded by stars. Tsunade laughed when I told her that, and then she asked if I would like my own star to take with me." Tenten closed her eyes. "We stole on of the lanterns and brought it home with us, and after that I have always felt at home in this country."
"You love that woman like a mother don't you?" Hinata said.
"I do. She raised me. She adopted me when my own family wanted nothing to do with me." Tenten said.
"I never knew it was like that between you two." Ino said. "That was so sweet of Tsunade."
The women spent the rest of the afternoon chatting about various topics.
Later in Ino's room
Ino was standing before her bed deciding which dress to wear for the festival. She had to decide between her new one and an old one. She knew the old one looked very nice on her but she was afraid Shikamaru would grow tired of a woman who always wore the same dress. But she did not know how the new one would look. What a situation!
Temari walked into the room. Ino turned to look at the other blonde woman. "Temari! You do now look well; you should take some time off." Ino said.
"I have heard that before." Temari said. "But there is something I must discuss with you."
"What would that be?" Ino asked politely.
"Tenten told me of the contraceptive you have been providing her." Temari began. "That action of yours baffles me. Why would you offer your friend that when you know if she became with child, then she would live for nine months? You could prolong the life of your friend, yet you don't. Why?"
Ino looked down at her feet. "It is not about extending Tenten's life. Our main plan is to keep as many women from dying as possible."
Ino sat down on the bed and motioned for Temari to do the same. "Tenten was born an orphan. She never had parents that cared. And she does not wish to give birth to a child and then be killed by the king shortly afterward. She does not want any child living like she did, without a mother. You see Temari, in the midst of all this; she does not want to create any more children without parents. And I respect her decision completely."
Temari spoke, "Hyuuga-sama's first wife produced a child that was not his, is Tenten afraid of that?"
"Tenten has been completely faithful, if that is what you are asking." Ino said coldly.
"I mean no disrespect." Temari said. "I love her too. And I want to keep her safe."
"Good." Ino said. "She needs the support of all of us."
That Night in the Harem rooms
Hinata hugged Tenten good bye. "Naruto and I will be going to the festival now, please get some rest before going to see Nii-san, if you even have to." Hinata said. "He might be busy with his festival, and if he is please get a goodnight sleep."
"I will." Tenten said with a laugh as she hugged Hinata back.
Hinata then waved goodbye one last time then left to have fun with Naruto. Tenten waved back and then stood there looking at the door.
She went to sit at the dining table. She was all alone. Temari and Ino had left earlier. She looked at all the empty chairs. In her mind she imagined the chairs filled with people.
Tears fell down her face. Being alone was one of the things she hated most in the world. She leaned over the table and cried silently.