AN: this is a long one. I really don't know what made me include this but it is interesting anyway. I really should finish it next chapter, with what happens once she has left.

I am sorry if my updating isn't as fast as usual, but I am super busy atm, with stage managing a lower school production. The last performance is on Thursday so hopefully I should have more time then.

Maybe next chapter will have some more kakasaku aswell, but I really want to skip forward to the Suna party arrival soon, otherwise this story is going to get tediously epic.

2500 words in this chapter

Unmasked

Chapter 7- Kaa

Shikamaru walked down the street in silence, hoping that after her outburst, Ino wouldn't want to come with him anymore.

Right on cue though, the second he began to draw a cigarette from his pocket, she bounced along beside him with a cheery grin on her face.

He sighed heavily but smirked at her. "You are getting too predictable Ino"

"Hai" she giggled, forcibly removing one of his hands from its pocket home and taking a hold of it. "There it is, come on."

She dragged him down the road to Kurenai's apartment before he could say anything else.

He tried to steal glances at her as they walked up the stairs to her level, attempting to judge what was different about her. Something doesn't feel right, like she looks more special all of a sudden. If she has changed her appearance and I don't notice, she'll get angry again.

"Um… Ino?" he started nervously

"Hai"

"Have you had your hair cut?"

"Not recently"

"Have you tried a new moisturizer?"

"No"

"Lost weight?"

"No, I have actually gained weight, it's frustrating. What am I going to do when it comes to dress fittings?"

"Well I think you look beautiful"

She stopped in her tracks and let go of his hand.

He stopped aswell and turned to face her, bemused "What is it, why have you stopped?"

"What are you doing? Why are you trying to find something to complement me on? What have you done?"

"Nothing, I just thought you looked especially nice today and I couldn't figure out why"

"Is now really the time?"

"You were the one who stopped"

"Don't lay blame on me; you could have been trying anything. Are you scared I'll say something in front of them that you don't want me too?"

"Don't be ridiculous Ino. I just… actually, while you say that, could you not mention how we ended up together, I still haven't told her and I don't want to."

Ino glanced away, biting nervously at her lip.

"What is it now?" he sighed, moving down a step to reach her and slipping a hand into hers.

"Nothing Shika-kun. Let's go now" she smiled up at him and he led them up to the next landing.

He didn't ring the doorbell or knock, instead he just reached into his pocket and pulled out a small key.

"Kaa!" a little boy, with short black hair and crimson eyes came running out the second the door was open and grabbed Shikamaru's leg into a death grip, almost as if he had been sitting in the doorway in preparation for his arrival.

"Hey Asumu-kun." He sighed, ruffling the top of his head playfully.

"Come back inside Asumu." Kurenai told him from behind the half open door and he did as he was told.

Ino turned to Shikamaru with a smirk "He calls you mum?"

"No" Kurenai explained "It's just a speech problem he picked up. He could never say Shikamaru properly, so he shortened it to "Kaa". He'll learn eventually. Come in."

She opened the door fully and let them in. they removed their shoes and followed her through to the main room, where Asumu was sat patiently at a low table, a shoji board stretched out in front of him.

Kurenai sat down beside the table, as Shikamaru comfortably sat opposite Asumu and began moving pieces around, like a well rehearsed routine. Ino sat beside Shikamaru at looked at the pieces with interest.

"Are you teaching him already Shika-kun? He's only little."

Kurenai laughed slightly "No Ino. He has no idea what the game is. Asumu just likes watching Shikamaru move the pieces."

True enough; the four year old was gazing intently at the movement of the pieces like they were the most important thing he would ever see. Shikamaru smirked sideways at Ino, but stayed quiet, letting the women chat.

"When was the last time you were here Ino?"

"I'm not sure, definitely before he could talk. What does he call you, if not Kaa-san?"

"He's a polite boy. He calls me Okaa. We don't get confused so long as he doesn't yell it too energetically. I really don't know where he gets his energy."

"He's so quiet. I would have expected a child his age to be running around like an idiot."

"He does sometimes, but he is very civilized with people he doesn't know."

Ino pouted, then turned to address the child. "You know me, don't you Asumu?"

The boy glared up at her disapprovingly before standing up with a mumbled "Loud mouth"

Her eyes went wide at the use of words. The boy was far too familiar to be comfortable.

"Kaa…" he continued, clearer this time. "Can we go some-'ere else?"

Shikamaru chuckled slightly before replying, "Sure buddy, let's go"

He leant over and gave Ino a quick kiss on the lips, then stood up.

"Eww…" Asumu complained

Shikamaru picked him up and began to carry him out of the room, poking him repeatedly in the side to make him giggle.

When he set him back down on the ground outside, Asumu frowned at him, sticking his lip out at him. "Why is pig-girl here Kaa? It was s'posed to jus' be you"

"Why do you call her pig girl?" he frowned back, leading him further down the corridor by the hand

"Her name is the same as pig" Asumu told him with a grin, proud of his word-learning.

Shikamaru sighed "Well, gomen but she is very important to me. You'll see her a lot in the future."

"Why?"

"I am going to marry her"

"What's that mean?"

He paused for a second. How do you explain it to a four year old? "Um… it's hard to explain… we kind of make a promise to stay together for the rest of our lives"

"But Okaa said it would always be us, jus' you and me and Okaa. I don't want her to be here too. I don't know her." He stopped walking, sounding really upset by the notion.

"You will. She knew your dad just as well as I did, and she saw you when you were too little to talk, so she isn't a stranger." He ruffled his hair playfully to try and comfort the boy. I knew this would be difficult.

To his surprise, he perked up a little "Like Oji-san?"

Shikamaru laughed lightly "Hai, exactly like Choj"

"So pig-girl is Oba-san?"

"Hai"

"Will she bring food like Oji-san?"


Once they had left, Ino shifted her gaze to the table, speaking solemnly, "Just don't let him smoke…"

Kurenai smiled weekly at her "I understand Ino, it's scary sometimes, but it's nice to still feel like he's here at times."

Ino nodded

"Enough about Asumu, I got the invitation yesterday. I was really surprised."

Ino snapped out of her daze, "Oh, the wedding? Hai, a lot of people have been asking questions. No one can believe we are actually a couple."

"No, I can believe that, if had bet on anything with you two, which I didn't, it would be that. I was just surprised that your parents would let you go through with it. I mean, after you…" she paused, cautious in case she didn't know of their parent's presence the other week "Do you know?"

"Hai, that's why I never yelled at anyone, Sakura and I heard them all leaving."

"Oh, well, the comments they made, I wouldn't think they would even let you see each other again."

"They changed their mind. We made it very clear they couldn't stop us from doing anything. Well… anything except the obvious. We are on a strict celibacy vow."

She smirked at her "that must be hard on you"

"Hai, especially when everyone is talking about it. All Tenten can talk about is her marital difficulties and getting Sakura laid seems to be becoming a second career. She doesn't make it easy for herself."

"Are she and Kakashi still not dating then?"

"No, and they never will be. He has agreed to back off and leave her alone; otherwise she was going to file a restraining order."

Kurenai laughed lightly and leant back on her hands "I have to say Ino; it's good to have the Konoha rumor mill sitting in my home. I don't get to know anything locked up in here."

"Talking of which, have you had much connection with the Hyuugas lately?"

"None at all"

"You won't have heard about Hinata then?"

"I've heard nothing, no." She sat up straight, anxious in case it was something serious "What's happened?"

"She's nearly four months in."

Kurenai gasped in excitement. "She's pregnant? How do you know this?"

"Tenten told us. She didn't seem too impressed by the notion."

"Of course not, this puts so much pressure on Neji. As a main family member, although Hinata is technically a Susumu, his offspring will be in competition with hers for the future leadership of the Hyuuga clan. If Tenten doesn't give birth soon after Hinata, then they will both be declassed to branch status again."

Ino nodded her understanding "That explains a lot. I don't think anyone told Tenten that."

"I'm glad for Hinata though. She and Takahiro have been building up to that for a while. Do Kiba and Shino know?"

"I don't think so; the Hyuuga clan is apparently keeping it quiet."

"Well they should know. Hinata would want them to, surely."

The phone began to ring.

"Hold on" Kurenai stopped her and stood to answer it.

By the time she reached it, footsteps were heard in the corridor then Asumu ran into the room, panting. "Who is it Okaa?"

Shikamaru came in soon after and pulled the boy onto his lap as he sat down again, signaling for him to keep quiet.

"Hello." Kurenai answered, and then held the ear phone away from her ear slightly at the volume coming from the other side. "Calm down Kiba, I can't understand a word you are saying… alright, I can tell that, just speak slower and for Kami's sake, breathe… arigato…" she sighed as she listened to what he was saying. "Yes I did know that… what do you mean, "How did I know"? He's one of my best friends… alright Kiba, I know it's weird… you shouldn't be prying anyway. Was there anything else? ... Yes I know about it, I don't live under a rock… you are coming? I thought it was only for… who? ..." her eyes shot wide and she looked around at Ino with a frown. "You are sure she… alright, I wasn't hinting at anything, I just thought you two were long over… good for you then I guess… listen, Kiba, I know you are overjoyed and all but I have people here… Yes Shikamaru… and Ino too… I'll talk to you later; there are some things you should know anyway… bye Kiba." She hung up and sat back down with a sigh.

"That boy is exhausting."

"What did Kiba say Okaa?" Asumu yawned, gripping hold of Shikamaru's hand as his eyes shut then opened again tiredly

"Nothing for the ears of tired little boys who didn't sleep properly when they were supposed to,"

"But Kaa was coming, I was exited…"

"I know that, but he comes every other day sometimes. If you never sleep then you'll never get to spend anytime with him at all"

"Ok, Okaa, I'll sleep if Kaa promises to stay for later"

"Of course I will Asumu, you just sleep, don't worry, I'll be here when you wake up."

"Arigato Kaa-san" he yawned again, then closed his eyes properly, growing heavier with every second.

"Come on buddy, let's put you to bed." Shikamaru attempted to stand with the now sleeping boy in his arms, but failed, sinking back instantly "He's getting heavy."

"Here" Ino offered, holding her arms out to take him.

Shikamaru handed him over carefully, and then when he was safely in her arms, he stood up.

Ino then passed him up to him with a smile.

"You two make a good team." Kurenai smirked as he left with the boy.

"Here's hoping" Ino couldn't get rid of her smile

"Shikamaru has been a real help for me since… you know." She knew it was a tender subject for them both, so she skirted around it "He'll make a good father some day."

"Don't get too carried away. I know what you mean though." She started to bite at her lip nervously again "He respects you so much, that's why, just so you know, I didn't tell him you were there the other week. He knows about the rest, but I thought it should be your choice."

Kurenai let out a breath it seemed she had been holding for a while "I don't need special treatment from you, but I really was only there for Kakashi, and to keep the others under control."

"Alright, I wasn't insinuating that you weren't." she desperately tried to change the subject "What did dog-boy want then?"

"Apparently you're Sakura problem is solved."

Ino sat up a little straighter; her eyes wide "Nani?"

"She's agreed to go out with him again. She's taking him to the celebration."

"I need to have words with that girl." She sighed heavily, glaring down at the table

"Aren't you happy for her?"

"She was supposed to go with Kakashi, that was the plan, then she would be swept away and all will be perfect, like it was with Shika and me."

"Was?" He frowned as he came back into the room alone.

She forced a nervous smile "No, it still is perfect but I'm not exactly swept away everyday"

"Right, must try harder"

"Is he alright?" Ino asked, changing the subject back to Asumu.

"Hai, he won't be up again for a few hours. You can go out if you like Kurenai"

"What if he does wake up?" the older woman worried

"Don't worry about it. We'll stay." He told her reassuringly

Ino snapped her head around to face him "Will we?"

He smirked at her then sat down beside her, wrapping his arms around her torso "Hai, that way we can spend some time alone without our parents monitoring our every move"

She smirked back, leaning her head into his shoulder.

"You two better not do too much with your time together." Kurenai scolded "I don't want to come back and find you both half naked or something."

"You won't, remember the vow?" Ino pointed out

"I appreciate your effort. You are sure you won't mind keeping watch?"

"Hai, go and have fun." Shikamaru told her

"Arigato, I need a social boost at the moment. I don't suppose you happen to know who else is about today"

"Kakashi probably will be, it's not like he has a social life" Ino giggled

"No, didn't you hear what happened last night?"

"No, what happened?" she asked attentively

"Wow, something I know that you don't? What a novelty."

AN: what do you all want more of? Or less of?

I thought I would just say a little about some things in here. You may have gathered that Yuhi Asumu is Asuma's son, and that Shikamaru has been a father figure to him his entire life. Chouji also visits occasionally, but only when Shikamaru is on a mission or something, to bring sweets and stuff in compensation, so Asumu treats him like an uncle.

The things with "Kaa" and "Okaa" etc. will only make sense if you know the language, so if you don't understand anything, feel free to ask me.

Just to clarify, as it hasn't been made too clear yet, Hinata is married to Susumu Takahiro. He is my OC, and will make an appearance later in the story.

Anything else? I don't know.

I am not feeling well atm, so cheer me up pleshies.

And seriously, if anybody wants to do some fan art with my story, I would love to see it, and would link to it on my profile etc. just make sure you tell me if you do.

Stay shiny and show the luff

XX Belizma-chan XX