Hello everyone,
On we go with the actual Story line.
Disclaimer: Didn't I already write enough times that I would never end the anime like that? So, not mine.
My routine changes a lot after Suzumo's arrival but not exactly for the bad. I have to take care of him and until now I did only get small missions even though I am a jounin and the village's official strategist (luckily not a busy job when there is no war), not that I am complaining though.
Five weeks later my peace is interrupted. It's around eleven o'clock and I am watching over Suzumo, who is playing with his loved figures, and am reading a book. It rained that morning so we couldn't go outside to the playground. I turn a page and suddenly my doorbell rings.
I mutter a 'troublesome', get up from the sofa and walk over to the entrance. When I open it my face turns into a frown as there is one of the Hokage's messengers.
"Lady Tsunade is requesting you in her office, Shikamaru Nara!"
I groan but answer, "Understood"
He disappears into smoke. I sigh and turn around.
"Suzumo? I have to go out for a moment, okay? Tsunade needs me. I'm gonna be back for lunch. Are you going to be fine on your own?"
He peeks his head around the corner. "Sure, no problem. Shall I start to make the meal?"
Hell no, the last time he tried ended in a nearly burned kitchen, several smashed plates and a cut on my arm. Not again please.
"No, that's not necessary, but thank you. I will do it when I'm back," I hastily reply.
He bids me goodbye, I pull on my shoes and vest and head outside. I arrive at the Hokage tower some minutes later and knock on Tsunade's door.
"Come in," is the reply and I enter. She is sitting at her desk the hands in her usual manner, looking firmly at me, with Shizune next to her.
I close the door and step closer, "You wanted to see me?"
"Yes, I have an assignment for you."
"A mission?"
"Somehow. You have to go to Suna, as soon as possible."
"Suna?" I frown at the mentioning of that village, since what happened five years ago I am not actually fond of it anymore, "Does it have to be me?"
"Unfortunately yes."
I sigh resigned. "Fine. So what is it?"
"You know about the situation Gaara is in at the moment?"
"You mean the marry-or-we-remove-you-situation?"
"Yes," she closes her eyes, "Apparently too many of the males from your circle prefer men over women as the Kazekage outright refuses to marry any female they could think of."
"And that's a problem why?"
"Well as the leader of the village and a powerful shinobi they want him to create an heir."
"Yes," I force back the comment that nobody is expecting an heir from her either (maybe since she already declared Naruto to be her successor one day), "And again that concerns me or Konoha why?"
"It concerns Konoha because the Suna elders found out about the carrier-system that exists here…"
Okay, I understand where that's going now. Since the elders want an heir but Gaara refuses to marry a woman they want to marry him to a carrier, a male but able to give birth as well. So they are turning to Konoha, or I would say rather the Hyuuga clan since these are the only carriers left excluding Sasuke who is already married.
"And why are you sending me there? I am no carrier. You should rather send someone from the Hyuuga clan to take up negotiations," I bore still not wanting to go.
"I already did. Hiashi and some of his clan are already on the way to Suna." I groan, the mission is getting better every minute. I have to go back to Suna and face the Hyuuga clan as well. Great! But she continues, "I am sending you too, because I need or rather Gaara requested someone with strategic ability to keep the Hyuugas and the elders from ripping each other's throat. You are our best strategist and you know about the carrier-system as well, probably the best outside the clans."
"But you know that the whole Hyuuga clan hates me!" I throw in, getting desperate.
"I know about your problems with them but your job there is mostly to observe. You are only allowed to act if the situation gets out of hand." Her voice is calm, but firm.
"But…"
"Shikamaru! I have decided and I will not rejoice it!" Her dark aura starts to grow and I know that it's best to stop arguing now. Though I am actually considering to take the beating this time just to get out of the mission, but it could leave quite some damage, so better not.
"When do I have to leave…" I mutter resigned.
"Unfortunately already today evening," Tsunade says as Shizune gives me a folder. "I am sorry to tear you away from your son, but you have to go."
"It'll be fine. Sasuke and Naruto agreed to take him if I have to go on longer mission. How long will I stay in Sand?"
"There is no time frame. Until the problems are solved or we need you back here in Konoha. And you have it a bit difficult since you have to raise Suzumo without a partner, don't you? Any idea where his mother is?"
"No, none. I mean, I don't even know who it is. Well, okay, I will go then. I have to make lunch," and with that I exit the office, deep in thought on my way back home.
Suzumo greets me happily when I return but frowns as I hardly react. I cook for us, my thoughts somewhere else. Before he came I could hardly cook, only simple meals. And even for that I was often too lazy. So it was mostly Neji who used the kitchen when we still lived together. Actually that seems like ages ago to me now. So much happened in between. The fight, the break up, his disappearance, Sasuke's pregnancy, our encounter and now Suzumo. But that for sure doesn't mean I am not missing it, missing him. Every time I see a shooting start I still wish for his return.
When the boy and I are finished with our meals I decide it's time to talk.
"Hey Suzumo," I start, "I have to tell you something…"
He looks at me expectantly, his too-huge-for-his-face eyes fixed on mine.
"I have to go on a long mission to Suna. I have to leave today and I don't know how long it will take," I blurt out uncomfortable.
"You are leaving me?" his eyes are slightly wavering.
"It's a mission, I'm sorry. Is it okay for you to stay with Sasuke and Naruto for the time being?" I immediately interject, it's not like I want to after all.
He though nods, "That's fine with me. After all Himawari will be there as well!" he grins at the last part. The two became pretty good friends, I guess it's because I spend a lot of time with our chaos couple.
"That's good," I say relieved.
After cleaning, Suzumo packs a bag with the things he wants to take over to the Uchiha mansion. I put it up on one shoulder and after putting my shoes on I lift him with my other arm. He giggles slightly when he goes up in the air.
In front of the mansion I put him down to ring the doorbell. I am a bit surprised when it's Himawari who opens, after some trying to reach the doorknob from what I could hear.
"Suzumo!" Her eyes light up and she hugs the boy, effectively shocking him.
I frown slightly and bend down to the kids.
"Hey Himawari. Could you tell me where your parents are?" I ask her ignoring two loud voices coming from somewhere.
She looks up at me, grinning. "Papa and Dad are in the backyard, having one of their contests. Can't you hear them?"
I cringe, so it's these two. They told her it was a contest? Well I am not questioning.
"Okay, I will go speak to them. How about you two go playing inside for the moment?" I suggest at the kids.
Himawari's grin immediately spreads and she drags the boy into the compound. "Come Suzumo. I have to show you the new toy I got!"
Suzumo himself is still reluctant to play with anything other than what he brought with him when he came to me, everything hand made as I noticed.
I follow the kids inside, closing the door. It doesn't take me long to find Naruto and Sasuke since their voices are hearable through the entire building. It's exactly like in the old times when these two were doing nothing but fighting. Thought today the subjects of their arguments are slightly different.
"So why Sasuke, teme? I thought you wanted to revive your clan! One child sure isn't enough for that!"
"I know that and I only said not yet! Do you have any idea how much that fucking hurts? I wanna see you endure it!"
"I saw you, thank you very much! And you said there is only a low chance you will actually conceive! So what's wrong with me wanting to start trying now already?"
"I just said I didn't want to do it without protection because…"
And before Sasuke can elaborate about their sex life, which I really don't want to know about, I decide to stop them since as loud as they are Himawari and Suzumo are easily able to hear them and they really don't need to listen to that. So I clear my throat loudly and speak (nearly shout) at them.
"I think that's enough! Your child can hear you!"
Both shoot around, red on the cheeks. They relax when they spot me.
"Hey Shikamaru. What are you doing here?"
"Actually I came to ask for a favour…"
"What is it?" Naruto is quick to agree.
"You said once that you would take Suzumo if I had to go on a longer mission. Well that's the case right now. I have to go to Suna for I don't know how long yet. Hopefully not long…"
"Sure, no problem! I am sure Himawari will be happy to have another kid with her!" Naruto chirps, then throws a look at his husband, "Since someone here is refusing to give her a brother or sister… Ow!"
Sasuke has elbowed him hard, causing me to sweat drop. I am not in the least worried by their fights though. It's usual behaviour for these two after all and I would say part of their relationship.
"But it's really fine, Shikamaru," Sasuke says to me while Naruto is clutching his side.
"Thanks a lot, really," I answer thankful, "These are his things. I am going to say goodbye to him and then I have to leave already."
Sasuke takes the bag from me and roughly shoves it in his husband's arms.
I visit Himawari's room where she and Suzumo are playing. When he spots me he drops the toys and runs over.
"Do you have to go now?" His voice is sad, but luckily no tears.
I pet his head, "Yeah, I'm sorry, but I will be back as soon as I can. So have a good time." I kiss him on the forehead.
He suddenly hugs me. "Goodbye. Itterasshai."
"Yeah, I will," I slowly pry him off, "And be a good boy and behave, okay?"
He nods when I stand up. Suddenly Himawari's loud voice rises exited.
"Does that mean Suzumo's gonna stay here with me?"
"Yes, for some time," I answer her, chuckling, plugging my ears shut for the reaction sure to come.
"Yeeeeah!" Her shout is even louder than her parent's fighting earlier causing Sasuke downstairs to cover his ears as well.
The girl though is unfazed by it and jumps at Suzumo who appears slightly dizzy from the attack on his eardrums.
I ruffle both their hair another time and smile, turning away and go downstairs. Shortly before the front door I meet Sasuke.
"So, you're going to Suna?" he asks casually.
"Yeah, to avoid a massacre between the Hyuugas and the elders. So troublesome," I grumble.
"What are the Hyuugas doing in Suna?"
"Since Gaara is refusing to marry a woman but the elders want an heir they are trying to get a carrier," I explain.
He shudders, "I hope not me. Gaara really changed and he is a nice guy now, but no thanks…"
"Don't worry, you're already married!" I chuckle, then I walk through the door waving lazily at the Uchiha.
When I return home I pack my own stuff. It's already half past four in the afternoon when I'm finished, so I decide to head out immediately.
As I leave the village I take a look back thinking about my child. But there is also something else. Some unknown sense is telling me that something important is about to happen. And at that time I didn't know yet what was awaiting me in Suna. Luckily or I guess I would have just turned back.
That's it for today. Thanks for reading.
Something I forgot to write after the last chapter.
Himawari means sunflower (I thought it would fit for Naruto's daughter).
Yumi means bow (I simply like the name).
Itterasshai means something like take care/have a save journey/come back safely.
Anyway I love names whith meanings behind it so most of them have, often the translation.
Thanks for the review and keep it on.
Hope to see you next time.
