Sorry for the slow updates. My little boy turned one on the 14th! Isn't that a hoot? I guess he's not so little anymore! And my fiance and I finally set the date for our wedding: June! I'll be a college graduate and a blushing bride in no time! But in all that excitement, I will, of course, continue with this story. I actually really like this one.
I'd like to give a special thanks to lady phantasmagoric, nzinga, and thatsafreakenriot for their lovely, awesome, amazing reviews! It totally makes my day!
Shikamaru's birthday was the week after he and Suki returned to Konoha. Yoshino planned a grand dinner to celebrate. Her son protested, of course, but Yoshino's word was law in that house.
"I didn't know your birthday was the twenty-second of September," Suki pointed out as they meandered through the village that afternoon, trying to escape the madness of Yoshino's cooking fervor.
Her lover shrugged noncommittally, his hands shoved deep into the pockets of his trousers. "You didn't ask. Ino's is tomorrow."
"You were born a day apart?" Suki frowned. Ever since their trip to the hot spring at the beginning of the month Suki had distrusted Ino.
Again he shrugged. "I guess that's why everyone always expected us to get together or something." He paused and gave her a sloppy grin. "Don't worry, Suki. You're the only girl for me."
"Thanks," she muttered dryly, bumping her shoulder against his but not daring to touch him more intimately. "So how old are you?"
"Eighteen," he answered, tilting his head back and inhaling the sweet autumn air. "Your birthday was right before you came to Konoha, right?"
She nodded, kicking a pebble with the toe of her sandal. "Yeah, it's in July."
Shikamaru glanced around. The streets were pretty crowded at that time of day, drowning out their conversation. "You know," he said in a low voice, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "Since it's my birthday, I think you should give me a little present."
"Oh?" Suki's interest piqued immediately, a devilish smile turning up the corners of her lips. "And just what kind of present would you like?"
"I'll leave that up to your imagination," he teased, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye.
"Hey Shikamaru, Suki!" Ino appeared suddenly before them, jumping out of the doorway of her mother's flower shop. She seemed to step in front of Suki and beam at her teammate. "Happy birthday!"
The dark-haired shinobi looked vaguely uncomfortable, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. "Yeah, thanks. Happy birthday to you, too."
"It's not till tomorrow, silly!" she giggled girlishly. "But you already knew that. Oh, before I forget, my parents are throwing a little get-together to celebrate. You're invited, of course." The invitation obviously did not extend to Suki.
Shikamaru took the moment to spit uncouthly on the sidewalk. "No thanks. I've got other plans. C'mon, Suki."
Suki gave Ino a sickly sweet smile and trailed after him. "I don't know if you did that for my benefit or not," she said under her breath, nudging his hand lightly with her own. "But thanks."
"Ino's such a bitch sometimes," was his answer.
I know this is another short chapter, but I'll post the next one quickly. As always, please review!