The End to the Day
"So, it looks like you survived babysitting Suki. The girl is still in one piece I see." Shikamaru teased as they walked back. Suki had fallen asleep in Shikamaru's arms by now.
"Yeah, it actually wasn't as bad as I thought. Honestly, I didn't think I could do it at first." Temari admitted before looking at the sleeping girl. "Should she really be sleeping now? She just took a nap earlier. Wouldn't this affect her bedtime?"
Shikamaru smiled, "Well it looks like someone's been reading the parenting books, I'm impressed. And it's fine, we'll wake her up when we get to the house."
"Humph, it's not like I had much to do anyways." Temari huffed, not denying that she had peeked in the books a few times.
The couple walked in silence until they reached the house. Once there, they woke Suki up gently. That nap must have recharged her quickly, because within minutes of waking her up, she was a ball of energy again.
"Uncle Shika! Auntie Tama! Let's play!"
"Hold on, little one. I think you had enough playing for today. How about we go out and water your mother's garden instead?" Shikamaru suggested
"Can I water the pretty flowers?" Suki asked
"Sure. Come on." Shikamaru took the little girl's hand and led her out the back door.
Temari on the other hand, decided to stay inside, she didn't think she could endure bending over again. So she picked up her baby catalogues and starting planning some more.
After some time, she heard the front door open. "I'm home!" Kurenai called out
"Oh hey Temari, where's Suki?" She asked when she saw Temari alone in the living room.
"Hello Kurenai, don't worry, she's in the garden with Shikamaru." Temari explained
"Oh he's here too?"
"Yeah, we met up in the park and walked back. He figured he should stay and spend some time with Suki as well."
"I see. So how was she? I hope she wasn't too much trouble." Kurenai asked
"No no, she was great. It went a lot better than I anticipated, she woke up, we went to the park, and met Kakashi and his daughter there. We just got back a little while ago and she did fall asleep on the way back." Temari gave her a rundown of the day
"Oh that's good. I'm glad to hear you were able to watch her without incident." Kurenai realized how wrong that came out, "NOT that I expected any, I swear! I knew you could handle looking after a child just fine. But Shikamaru said you seem to be having doubts about it, so he suggested that I ask you since everyone was busy today and all. So I hope you prove yourself today that you could do it."
Temari looked at Kurenai, then chuckled, "So Shikamaru did set me up for this as a test."
"Well, no. It wasn't a test; he just wanted you to feel confident in yourself about this. Look, I know the thought of being responsible for another life is scary, but you got to stop thinking of it like that. Just go with the flow and take things one day at a time." Kurenai said, not really sure how to explain it to Temari so that she doesn't get mad at Shikamaru
Temari thought about what Kurenai said, "You're right, I do feel a bit better after today." Now that she thought about it, she had forgotten that she had Suki's life in her hands until now.
Temari's thought were soon interrupted when Suki came running in "Mommy!"
"Hey little one! Did you have fun with Auntie Tama today?" Kurenai asked her daughter
"MmmHm. She took me to the park and helped me build a big castle! And she let me talk to her baby and said I can be her big sister!' Suki said excitedly
"Well, it looks like you guys did a lot today." Kurenai said
"Yeah! Can Auntie Tama come play with me again?" Suki asked
"I'm sure she will love to." Shikamaru answered for Temari
"Of course, anytime." Temari said with a smile. "I think we should get going now. We got more baby planning to do."
"Don't you guys want to stay for dinner?" Kurenai asked
"No thank you, I got some stuff planned." Shikamaru smiled giving Temari's hand a squeeze
"Oh ok then, thank you again for watching Suki today, I owe you big time."
"Don't worry about it; she was no trouble at all." Temari said confidently. "We'll see you soon!"
With that, the couple went on their way.
"So what's the stuff you got planned?" Temari asked curiously
"Not much actually, my dad told me that my mother heard you were called to watch Suki and since she figured both of us were busy today, that she'd cook us dinner. Don't worry, we're not eating over their place, she had someone send it over to my apartment." Shikamaru explained
"Oh, that's nice of her." Temari said, feeling appreciated. She really wasn't in the mood to cook after today. Then she remembered something Kurenai mentioned earlier.
"Shikamaru, did you really tell Kurenai to ask me to watch Suki today?"
Shikamaru stopped walking and turned to face Temari. "Yes I did, but only because I wanted you to prove to yourself that you can do it. You've been stressing out way too much on the whole idea of looking after another life, but it's not as scary as it sounds. And since I know that idea was hard to get through that damn stubborn troublesome mind of yours, I figured it would be better for you to prove it yourself. Yes, today was only a glimpse of what's to come for us, but admit it, it wasn't that bad was it?"
"Temari smiled at Shikamaru, "No it wasn't, and thank you. This still doesn't take my worries away. But at least I have some sort of peace in my mind."
"Glad to hear that, now come on, we got dinner waiting." Shikamaru grabbed Temari's hand and led her to his apartment.
They arrived at their apartment just as one of his clan members was leaving.
"Hey Ensui. How's it going?" Shikamaru greeted
"Oh hey Shikamaru, Lady Temari; the usual I guess. Your mom had me drop off some food; and since you weren't home yet, I just left it by your door." Ensui explained
"Thanks so much man, I owe you one." Shikamaru said shaking the guy's hand
"Anytime sir, I guess I'll see you around the compound soon. Let me know if you ever need help moving." Ensui replied before leaving the couple alone.
The couple took the meal Yoshino cooked them and ate it in mostly silence.
"So, you know round three of the Chunin exam is like in a month right? I think you should come watch it." Shikamaru said randomly
"umm Ok? I'll see if I'm free I guess. Why?"
"Nothing, I just thought you might enjoy watching genins beat each other up and perhaps help the committee judge them. Plus I know being cooped up inside all day isn't your thing, especially when there's some action going on." Shikamaru smirked
Temari sighed, he was definitely right about her not liking to be cooped up. "Sure, I'll go. But I don't want to be a judge, that's too stuffy for my liking."
Shikamaru chuckled, "Oh alright. But you should also go to check out the Suna genin, some of them show true potential."
The couple finished their meal and enjoyed the quiet night together.
That's all for now! Don't really have much to say about this chapter, sooo I guess see you in the next update? Oh! And happy Halloween!