The elder laughs. "No," she says. "Not right now, anyway. You're far too young for that. Maybe in a few years, but not right now."
"But you're still suggesting," I say, "that we get married."
"Eventually, yes," she says with a shrug. "Just like with Shikamaru taking over for his father. It's the natural order."
"You realize," I say, stepping back, "that we are seventeen. We are fresh out of a war and Shikamaru—"
"Needs your support now more than ever," she says, propping her hand on her hip. "This time of transition will become critical to the future of our clan. Shikamaru needs you—"
"I think he can be the judge of that," I say, my irritation getting the better of my politeness. "Listen, I am here for Shikamaru—I've always been here for Shikamaru. For the time being, I don't plan on going anywhere. But I am Ren of the Kagiru clan, first and foremost. It doesn't matter that I am the only one left of my family. I still have my clan and my legacy to think of before anyone else. I will do what I can for Shikamaru when I can, but I don't plan on giving up my life for anything or anyone anytime soon."
Someone snort-laughs. The elder and I look at Shikamaru, who stoops his head and rubs his nose. The elder stands back. She sizes us up once again. And then she smirks.
"Fine," she says, shrugging. "You're right. It was unfair of me to do that. But still. I think you two made the right call with each other."
With that, she leaves. As soon as she's gone, Shikamaru takes a deep breath and lets his shoulders drop.
"That was," he says, "a lot to process."
I plant my face in my hands. "Shikamaru," I say. "She told us to get married."
"Like I said: a lot to process. You took it very gracefully."
"I don't appreciate the sarcasm. She told us to get married!" I say again, punching his arm. "She told us to get married. Who tells a bunch of kids to get married! Shikamaru!"
"Relax," he says, pushing me off. "She…it was…"
"You can't even deny it," I say. "She basically proposed to me for you."
Shikamaru laughs, covering his face like it will suppress the laughter. I hit him, which only seems to make him laugh harder while he tries to duck out of my range. "Ren," he says. He catches my arms, pinning them to my side. "Ren, cut it out. I'm just…hey!" he says when I manage to get free and smack his head.
"You have to admit it's funny," he says, lifting his hands in surrender and wincing. "It's a little bit funny."
"I disagree," I say. We stand close enough for our feet to touch. And I know that if I looked up, our faces would be within inches of each other. It only occurs to me now that Shikamaru might be reprimanded later for my behavior. I shouldn't have been so rude to that woman, but she was way out of line with her proposition. Or, maybe, she wasn't, considering Shikamaru is under her advisement now as head of the family. Regardless, whatever Shikamaru and I decide—
"Would you?" Shikamaru says.
"Would I what?"
"One day," he says. "Would you want to get married?"
I sputter, wondering how we got from playing doctor to being appointed heads of families to proposals. "Not to someone like you," I manage.
He laughs again and pulls me into him, hugging me close. I don't protest, but I don't hug him back either. "You're taking this very gracefully," he says.
"Shut up," I say.
"Listen," he says, propping his chin on top of my head. "It's like you said: I'm a changed man. And the elder was right. Maybe not soon, but one day, I'll be even better. And you'll be there, right? You'll be with me."
I can't argue with that.
"You say you're ready," I mutter. "To take on your father's roles. You are…I think you're ready. Technically speaking, I think you're ready, too. But in a way, I think you still need more time."
"I'll figure it out," Shikamaru says. "As long as you're here, I'll figure it out."
"Naturally," I say.