To Be A Mamma's Boy
So here's chapter 9! I am so sorry for waiting so long. I'm sorry, it's just that my sophomore year is so much harder than I thought! I'm taking my first AP classes and I'm so stressed out. I'm so sorry, but updates are going to be coming very slowly until the summer. Once again, I'm so sorry.
Sasuke opened his eyes and shifted on his silk sheets, the sun broke through his curtains and was hitting him squarely in the face. He sighed, knowing that it was time to get up, usually he'd be glad to be awake. His dreams were never the sweetest, but for some odd reason he'd slept like a baby that night and didn't want to wake up. He couldn't quite remember what he dreamed about, but he knew that it was too good to be true.
He got up and gazed out the window, seeing the cherry blossoms floated off the Sakura Trees of his backyard. His mother used to love that tree, she tended to all of the plants in the vibrant, Uchiha Garden and Sasuke had made it part of his daily routine to make sure that none of the plants went without water.
Then suddenly it all came running back to him, his dream.
Mikoto smiled and bounced the pink haired child on her hip. Sasuke leaned against the kitchen counter giving a small smile.
"She's beautiful, Sasuke!" His mother gasped as the baby giggled in her arms.
"You like her?"
"She's gorgeous, just like her mother. Just look at those thick eye lashes, she's going to be a heart breaker!" Mikoto mused and patted the baby's pink hair, "Where is Sakura, anyway?"
"At the hospital, working a double shift."
"Ah, the poor girl shouldn't be working so hard being three months pregnant! You should have let her stay home!"
"I tried mother, but she refused." Sasuke said with a nonchalant shrug, but on the inside he was horribly worried. He'd tried his best to keep her home, hell he'd even turned off her alarm clock and somehow she'd still woken up on time and gone to work early. The woman was a force of nature.
"Don't get too worried," His mother chided and squeezed his shoulder, "She's strong, she'll be fine." Sasuke leaned into her touch and sighed in contentment. The baby started to fuss and claw at Mikoto's blouse.
"Oh, looks like she wants her daddy!" Mikoto smiled and passed the baby to Sasuke who expertly carried the young child in his arms.
"It's all right, I'm here," Sasuke said gently and patted the baby's back, "I'm right here." The baby's fussing turned into playful giggling as she felt the familiar touch of her father. She gurgled contently and grabbed at a lock of Sasuke's hair in her tiny fist. Sasuke grimaced, everytime she got a hold of his hair it took him hours to get her off.
"I swear, she loves Sasuke more than me." Sakura smiled as she entered the house. And for a moment Sasuke couldn't breathe, he'd forgotten how unbelievably beautiful she was. Sakura was practically glowing with pregnancy's touch.
"Oh we were just talking about you!" Mikoto said and hugged Sakura tightly. "It's great to see you Mikoto," Sakura smiled and hugged back, "How's my baby?"
"She's as beautiful as ever, the most beautiful grand daughter in the world!" Mikoto exclaimed and Sasuke rolled his eyes, his mother never failed at being the happiest person in all of Konoha. But, when she was with her grandchild she seemed to take happiness to untold levels. "Look at that, she's daddy's little girl for sure." Sakura smiled gently as the baby tugged another hand full of Sasuke's black hair, he winced again. For a baby her grip was strong. Mikoto and Sakura laughed at his pained expression. "You two look so tired from work! You must let me baby sit Kagome tomorrow, you two need some time alone." Mikoto insisted with a hopeful smile. "Mother..." Sasuke began, Sasuke could have sworn that the woman was trying to steal his child. "Well she's right, Sasuke. We haven't spent time alone for weeks," Sakura gave him another smile. But, this one was different, where her usual smile was pretty and kind, this one had an underlying vibe. A smokey glint in her green eyes that told him they wouldn't be doing much talking during their time alone. Sasuke's felt an adrenaline rush flit up and down his body, "I think it's a great idea." She said, her eyes not leaving Sasuke's face. "Please, Sasuke!" Mikoto begged, "I'll be sitting Riku too, it'll be like a little play date!" "You're sitting Naruto's son?" Sasuke asked. Naruto and Hinata were the first to have a child out of the entire 'Rookie 9.' Little Riku had just celebrated his first birthday less than a month ago. And when Sasuke and Sakura still hadn't had a child Mikoto had fallen in love with Naruto's son in anticipation. She just couldn't wait for grandchildren. "You and Sakura are Riku's god parents, it's only right that I help out." Mikoto said. "Thank you so much, Mikoto. We really need a day off." Sakura smiled in gratitude. "Oh sweetie, don't even apologize! I'll baby sit everyday if you like!" "Mother..." Sasuke warned again. 'Ok, ok, but you have to come see me at least three times a week!" "Alright, three times a week, mom."
Sasuke's heart swelled in his chest, is that what his life would be like if his mother was still alive? An overwhelming sense of assurance bloomed in his mind, yes, that is what his life would be. His mother would love Sakura more than anyone. She would be the most overwhelming grandmother in all of Japan, but he would love her for it. He just wished she was still around, he didn't know what to do. Sakura was quite possibly the most confusing issue he'd ever have to deal with for the rest of his life. And no one would know what to do better than his mother. He walked to the Uchiha Garden and sat beneath the Sakura tree, feeling the cold weight of loneliness sink in again.
I wish you were here...
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She didn't want to ask, but she was just so curious. He'd come to her in the middle of the night, short on breath, demanding that she come stargazing with him. She smiled, it had been so long since he'd let her come stargaze with him. Not since he was very young, but she couldn't hold it back anymore, she had to ask.
"Shikamaru, why did you ask me to come stargaze with you?" She asked quietly, her eyes not leaving the twinkling sky.
"I'm just so confused..." Shikamaru sighed and stretched his arms behind his head.
"About what?"
"Well, you mostly."
"Me?" She asked in surprise.
"Yeah, I think I have a problem that only you can help me with. I keep trying to think of what you'd do in my position, but I figured that I'd only know for sure if I asked you directly." He said seriously and turned on his side to face her, she mirrored his position. His brow was furrowed in deep confusion.
"You look so worried!" She gasped, Shikamaru was never worried. Worrying was far too troublesome. Why was he worrying now? She opened her arms to him and surprisingly enough he let her hold him in her arms, something that he'd never let her do since he was very young. She took advantage of the moment and held him tight, he probably wouldn't let her do this again for years, "Tell me why you're so worried."
"I just can't choose!" He moaned in frustration.
"Choose what?" He sighed against her chest.
"I can't choose who to love..." He lifted his head out of her chest and stared at her seeking guidance, "Mom, I need your help."
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Sasuke walked slowly to the Uchiha Family Grave Sight. A large portion of Konoha's cemetery was reserved for the Uchiha Clan. Sasuke remembered attending his great grandfather's burial when he was six years old, when the Uchiha grave yard was an almost empty expanse of land, dotted with a few lonely grave stones. Now, after the Uchiha Massacre, there was barely any room left. He found his mother's grave and sat with his back against its cool surface.
"Good morning, mother." He said and laid a bouquet of flowers at the base of her grave. As always only silence met his ears.
"I know I haven't come to see you in a while. You must be upset. Forgive me." More silence, but he knew he was forgiven.
"I don't know what to do and I need your help." The expected silence met his ears, so he began.
"I know this girl, her name is Sakura. I don't know if you know her or not..." A warm breeze blew past the graveyard and shook a nearby Sakura Tree. Its cherry blossoms caressed his face as the wind passed and Sasuke couldn't tell if that was a coincidence or not. He decided that it wasn't. He caught a petal in his palm and fingered its softness, "Her name is Sakura, and I'm in love with her." It was the first time he'd ever actually said it, out loud. And he'd never felt such a relief in his whole entire life.
"You would like her, mom. She's smart and kind, and loving. She's perfect. She's a lot like you." He paused to catch his breath, the feeling of saying it out loud was far more exhilarating and exhausting than he thought it would be.
"I won't lie to you, mother. I'm afraid. I'm afraid of what she will say, what she'll do, if I tell her what I just told you... I wish you were here, to tell me what to say."
"I know, you can't help me, I just wanted you to know about her." More silence.
"I had a dream last night, you were in it. You were so happy." Sasuke mused allowing a small smile to tug on his lips, "You finally had a grandchild, just like you wanted. Even with pink hair, your favorite color. I just wish that I could make that dream come true. I know that's what you wanted for me, to be happy."
He sighed and struggled to keep himself under control, but his voice cracked with emotion, "I want that too, but I want you to be happy with me. I want you to be with me when it happens." A familiar wetness stained his face, he let out a frustrated growl and swiped vigorously at his tears. He hadn't cried since the day of the massacre, and he'd planned to keep it that way. But here he was, crying like a child for his mother. He dropped his hands to his sides and let the tears fall, there was no point in trying to stop them anymore.
Sasuke almost laughed, Itachi had called him that name often when they were kids.
And Itachi was right, he was a mamma's boy.
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"Is it Ino and Temari?" She asked gently. Shikamaru nodded into her chest, "Why would you ask me about this? You really aren't acting like yourself."
"I know, it's just that I thought I knew which one I loved. I really did..."
A week earlier...
And just like that, Shikamaru had come to his decision.Shikamaru stood up from the ground, rubbing the grass stains off the back of his pants. He glanced at the darkening sky one last time before racing down the streets of Konoha. He paused and caught his breath as he approached Ino's small house. He glanced into the window and saw Ino sitting on the sofa, watching some romance movie, and gobbling down a tub of ice cream. He almost smiled, how many times had she told Chouji to stop eating so much ice cream? Her shoulders shook uncontrollably, Shikamaru frowned, she was crying. She was crying over him. It's now or never.
Shikamaru lifted his hand and gave a swift knock on the door. But as soon as his fist hit the door, doubts raced in his mind. He quickly analyzed the situation. What if he was wrong? What if Temari was the one? What if this was all a huge mistake? They both were like his mother, weren't they? He had a fifty percent chance of being wrong! And he didn't like those odds.
"Hello?" Ino said quietly and opened the door, her eyes were red and puffy, but she tried her best to look strong. She looked around the empty streets, was someone playing ding dong ditch?
"Rotten little kids." She frowned and slammed the door shut. Shikamaru jumped out of the bushes and pulled the leaves and twigs out. That was a close one. He starred at the window hesitantly, her shoulders were shaking again. He had to be sure with his decision. He didn't want to tell her he chose her, unless he was sure. He wasn't going to bring her hopes up and slam them down again, not until he was completely sure.
He jumped from roof top to roof top until he found himself in front of Temari's lavish estate. He jumped onto the nearest tree branch and peered curiously into her window. There she was throwing kunai and shuriken at an unsuspecting dummy. Looking angry, but beautiful as ever. Was she beating the crap out of that dummy because of him? Definitely. Did he love her more than Ino? He just wasn't sure.
So there was only one thing to do, go to the number one woman in his life. His mommy.
"Well, Shika you were right to feel doubts about this. But, I'm not sure what you want me to tell you." She said and ran a hand through his hair. Shikamaru leaned into her touch, it'd been too long since he'd seen her gentle side.
"Can't you tell me who is better? Who I should pick?" Shikamaru asked, his voice was so desperate, for a moment she saw the face of her chubby ten year old, instead of her handsome, strong, nineteen year old son.
"I can't pick for you, sweet heart. You're the only one who can choose who to love." She guided his face to meet her eyes with a gentle smile, "but you've got to strong, beautiful women to choose from. Actually, when I was a few years older than you I the same problem."
"What did you do?" Shikamaru asked curiously.
"Well first, you need to breathe, you're very tense right now," Shikamaru suddenly realized how stiff his neck and shoulders felt. Was this whole love thing really stressing him out that much? He released a long breath and shook his shoulders loose, she patted his back comfortingly, "good. Now, you only need to ask yourself a few questions."
"Just a few?" Shikamaru asked in s surprised tone. His mother laughed at his expression.
"This may be hard for you to understand, Shikamaru. But, love is one thing that you can't over analyze. It's all about intuition, your gut feeling." She explained easily and Shikamaru didn't like where this was going. Intuition, gut decisions, under analyzing, these were the behaviors that got people killed. As a ninja, love was possibly the most difficult thing to understand. It went against everything he was taught in the academy. It went against everything he prided himself in. It went against everything it took to become the successful jounin he was today.
"I'm not sure if I can do that, mom." He sighed dejectedly.
"Your father did and he's dumb as a sack of potatoes. If he can do it, anyone can."
"I don't know how he puts up with you." Shikamaru smirked.
"Mean either, but he does and soon you'll have someone to put up with too." She said and flicked his nose playfully, "now as I was saying. There are only a few things you need to ask yourself."
"Alright, what are they?" Shikamaru asked anxiously. He was ready to settle.
"Who do you care deeply for?"
"Who would you give your life for?"
"Who can you see yourself living with?"
For every question she asked, two faces appeared in his mind. Temari's strong and fearless, Ino's friendly and joyous. He loved them both, he could see a future with both, and he'd willingly give his life for both. He felt his hopes crumbling, all of these questions, Temari and Ino were coming to mind. Would he ever come be able to choose?
"Shikamaru?" He looked up to meet his mother's eyes, "This is the most important question. Think clearly, all right. Don't over analyze, just let it come to you." He nodded seriously and relaxed completely. He let out a deep breath and cleared his mind, waiting for the final question to come.
"Who can't you live without?" His mind became clear as day. For once, only one beautiful face filled every corner of his mind. The decision was almost ridiculously simple, why hadn't he just stopped analyzing before?
"You understand now, don't you?" His mother said, quietly.
"I do. Thanks." Shikamaru said and hugged her tighter.
"Your welcome, sweetheart." She said modestly and kissed the top of his head.
"Mom?"
"Hmm?"
"I love you." He said so quietly that she almost didn't hear him. But, she did and that was more than enough.
"I love you too." Shikamaru pulled himself deeper into the embrace. He knew that the next day they'd be bickering like always. She'd tell him to do his chores, he'd take a nap, and she'd give him an oral whipping. But for once, they could be with each other in peace. His father was right, every woman shows their soft side to the men they love. And he knew in his heart, that the woman he loved would show him her soft side, everyday. Between arguments, of course.
So who guessed that it was his mom that Shikamaru was curled up with under the stars! Yup mamma's boys rule! And I know, Sasuke is supposed to be strong, but you know what? Losing your family like that... You've got to have a good cry, at least once. And I promise, it won't happen often.
POLL: TEMARI OR INO WHO BELONGS WITH SHIKAMARU?I'm pretty sure of whom I've already chosen. But, I'll take the results into consideration.
