Disclaimer: I do not own any of Masashi Kishimoto's work nor do I own any of Inuyasha's characters. If you see a name you don't recognize then it is OC.

Chapter 9

Yoshino looked up from her dishes to see Shikamaru and Shikaku walking down the path. Yoshino looked down, but then looked back up trying to see what Shikaku was carrying. Seeing it was a woman she put her towel down and going to the door opened it.

She waited until they got to the door to ask, "Who's this?"

Shikaku said as he smiled, "This is Shikamaru's fiancé."

"Dad!" Shikamaru said shocked. Turning to his mother, he said, "This is Minako ShiNara. And she isn't my fiancé."

Yoshino waved them in. Shikaku walked into the house and put Minako into the guest room.

Passing out the food, Yoshino had Shikamaru tell them about Minako. Placing her elbow on the table after they ate, Yoshino said, "So, you're saying Minako is Asuma's goddaughter?"

"That's what I said." Shikamaru leaned back. Just then he looked over towards the doorway. "Are you rested?"

Shikaku and Yoshino looked over. Minako leaned against the door post and looked at them warily.

"It's fine. These are my parents." Shikamaru said.

Yoshino got up and getting another plate asked, "Are you hungry?"

Minako nodded. She walked over and sat down as Yoshino put a plateful of food in front of her. Minako's eyes sparkled when she saw how much food was on the plate, she dug in while Shikaku and Yoshino watched. Yoshino got a pleased look on her face when Minako finally finished with a satisfied look on her face.

Looking up at Yoshino, Shikaku said, "I'm going to go check on the deer now."

Minako turned to look at him, "Can I come too?" she asked almost pleadingly.

"I guess." Shikaku said hesitantly, "But I must warn you, the deer only allow the Nara clan to go into the forest."

"I'll be careful." Minako got up and followed him.

Yoshino and Shikamaru watched as they walked to the forest.

"I wonder why she wanted to go." Yoshino said.

Looking at his mother, Shikamaru said, "Maybe she wants to see the deer. I don't know."

"So," Yoshino turned to look at Shikamaru, "Do you have any romantic feelings towards her?"

Frowning, Shikamaru said, "We just met her the other day."

Throwing her hands up, Yoshino said, "You're hopeless."

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Shikaku watched with surprise as one deer walked up to Minako and let her hug him.

"I missed you." She told the deer.

The deer nodded his head, rubbing her back with his jaw. Pulling back she rubbed his favorite spot. Right between the jaw bone. Shikaku leaned against the tree and watched with surprise as the deer gathered around her. He started getting suspicious about her lineage. Finally the deer started heading deeper into the forest.

Shikaku pushed away from the tree as Minako walked towards him. "That is the first time I've ever seen the deer let anyone outside from the Nara clan enter the forest."

Minako blushed slightly, "My dad took care of deer in the village I used to live in."

Interested now, Shikaku asked, "Where was your village?"

"I'm guessing it's three, four days journey from here to the north." Minako pointed in the direction she indicated.

"The deer you were petting was from that village. He came here with his herd ten years ago." Shikaku looked at her. "It probably is the same herd that your father took care of."

Minako was quiet. They walked home in silence while Shikaku was thinking about what Minako had said.

Getting home he had a brilliant idea. "Why don't you and Shikamaru have a spar together." Shikamaru looked at him confused. "It won't hurt to see what Minako can do." Shikaku said calmly.

Minako said, "If you're sure. Because I don't want to hurt him."

"You won't. Just pick a jutsu and stick with it for now." Shikaku sat down to watch.

Shikamaru and Minako stood in the yard staring at each other. Shikamaru told her, "I won't go easy on you just cause you're a girl."

Crossing her arms, Minako said, "I'm not asking you to go easy." Gesturing at him, she said, "You make the first move."

Shikamaru creating a hand sign used Shadow Possession to capture Minako. She looked at him. He smiled glumly, "That was to easy. You must be weak."

Just then, Shikamaru's shadow was overwhelmed. Shikaku lurched forward with surprise. Placing his hand on the post, he watched as Minako's shadow consumed Shikamaru's shadow. He then watched as she sent her shadow up to his throat. Shikaku was about to say something, but then he watched as she caressed Shikamaru's face. Looking over he saw Minako smiling smugly.

Minako looked over at Shikaku and was about to say something. But when she saw his face she quickly released the shadow and fear crossed her face.

She quickly kneeled and bowing, said, "I'm sorry. I got carried away. Please forgive me."

Hearing footsteps coming towards her she covered her head with her arms. Shikaku bent and placing his hand on her shoulder, he waited to say anything until she turned her head to look at him.

"I won't hurt you. I was just surprised because I thought you were going to do the shadow strangle." Minako slowly removed her arms and sat up. "I was going to step in, but then I saw what you were doing." Helping her to stand back up, he continued. "You have great chakra control."

Walking up onto the porch, he turned to Shikamaru, "Why don't we play a game of shogi."

"Sure, why not." Shikamaru sat down across from his dad.

"What's shogi?" Minako asked curiously. She was over the scare Shikaku gave her.

"It's a strategy game. Why don't you watch." Shikaku offered.

Minako watched with interest. Her chin was resting on her knees. Finally as it was getting dark Shikaku beat Shikamaru.

Looking over at Shikaku, Minako asked, "Can I play?"

Shikaku looked at her, "Are you sure you want to play against me?"

Minako smiled and nodded. Shikaku agreed. Shikamaru watched as they set the pieces up. He sat down thinking this would be an interesting game.

Several minutes later, Yoshino came out just as Minako gleefully clapped her hands. "I beat you! I really beat you!"

Yoshino looked at Shikaku with surprise. No one had ever beaten him. Shikaku seeing the happiness on Minako's face said, "Why don't we go to bed."

After Minako closed the door to the guest room, Yoshino looked at Shikaku. Placing her hands on her hips, she asked, "Did you purposely let her win?"

Shaking his head, he said, "No. She was able to do it with ease. I tried with everything I had." Laying down, he said, "Oh, and she must be part of the Nara clan. The deer except her and she can use shadow possession."

Rolling over, Yoshino placed her hand on his chest, "Are you going to look in the lineage scrolls tomorrow?"

Nodding, he said, "Yes. I have a feeling she's a Nara."

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"What does Minako mean exactly, Starflower?" Roxy asked Starflower as she typed.

"Minako means Child of the beautiful Nara." Starflower said as she hit the enter key to upload the chapter.

"Very coincidently. But anyways read on faithful readers. And please review." Roxy begged. Roxy got a thoughtful look on her face, "It sounds as if Minako will be going out with Shikamaru."

Starflower looked at Roxy, "Hmm, you have a point. Just read the next chapters to find out."