Title: Chance.
Summary: Yoshino has a chance at a time honored Nara tradition. Bullying the daughter-in-law-to-be.
Genre: Family,
Disclaimer: I have no reason to own Naruto anymore!
Word Count: 576


Prompt: Finger Pyramid of Evil Contemplation
Word Count: 458


Many thanks to Miranda-chan and Morphy chan. Thank you so very much for your endearing and encouraging reviews. Without them, I would probably melt into an unappreciated mess of grouching which would mumble darkly while skulking in corners and poking people with pencils. :D


Tenten's lashes drew downward in an exaggerated motion that shielded her eyes for a split-second. The veil of her lashes lifted to reveal a dazzling smile and Bambi brown eyes. She inclined her head gracefully.

"Yoshino-san," she spoke completely unperturbed, "Might I commend you on your excellent taste?"

Shikamaru looked suddenly wary at the escalating tensions between the women. Yoshino merely raised a brow in mock puzzlement.

"I take it the knife was forged in Kumo judging by the length of the blade, craftsmanship and the angle of the cutting edge," She clarified, still smiling.

"Of course dear," Yoshino smiled back, an indecipherable glint lighting her eyes "I have the whole set."

"As do I," Tenten gushed cheerily.

"I did not expect to see you so soon. I thought that you might drop by a little later in the night. I just got started on the chicken. We are having Tori Kamemeshi tonight." Yoshino said as she gestured towards the house slippers.

"Might I be allowed to help?" asked Tenten, as she changed into hers.

"But you are a guest dear I couldn't possibly ask you to…" Yoshino trailed off.

"You don't have to think of me as a guest Yoshino-san, I would love for you to think of me as a daughter of yours." Tenten spoke, the picture of affectionate innocence.

*.*.*

To anyone else, including Shikamaru, this exchange would seem perfectly normal. But not to the war-veteran Nara Shikaku.

(Un)fortunately, Shikaku had prior experience in this particular art of verbal combat, having witnessed it between his mother and Yoshino.

He noticed the signs when Shikamaru had first announced the news of his intentions. Yoshino did not flare into a motherly rage at the announcement but had calmly asked him to bring the girl to meet them. Now while this might not have been the evidence of her thoughts, the finger pyramid of (evil) contemplation was a dead giveaway.

The last time he had seen the pyramid was in a battlefield. She had held that pose before she set a trap that literally chained some poor guy to a paper bomb tree. It was then that he had learned a valuable lesson- a grumpy, vocally irritated Yoshino was infinitely preferable to a silent, calm one. Like the one now.

He noticed all the signs of an impending silent war between the two. The carefully arrayed casual insolence. By not acknowledging that Tenten was worthy of a special meal, by appearing in the doorway disheveled, she sent a signal saying she did not think their relationship was going to last.

Tenten, was highly aware of the signals Yoshino sent and was attempting to counteract them whilst maintaining an affable front. This was going to be an entertaining evening.


Ah, alas! Our ShikaTen two parter must exceed its two-part-ness. Shall we groan or shall we rejoice?

I hope you enjoyed this… Tune in same next week at Anthropomorhychan's for summore drabbley fun.

:D

-Aurora.