Disclaimer: I don't own anything
Temari stayed the night at Shikamaru's place on Thursday as well. By Friday morning, he was under the impression she would stay the rest of the weekend. It was nice having someone else staying at his apartment. It made sleeping much better.
It also made him grumpy in the mornings when she was leaving for work.
"Why do you always have to be early?"
He couldn't hold onto her tight enough as she easily slipped away from bed.
"I've always been the first to arrive and the last to leave."
"That's stupid."
Temari thought it was adorable how he was pouting. He really was a child sometimes.
"Go back to sleep."
"Only if you do."
Temari threw 'her' pillow at his head.
"I have to get ready. I won't be late."
Shikamaru removed the pillow from his head and hugged it to his chest. The pillow would have to be her substitute for the time being.
"Just call in sick. It's too early to be awake."
"Maybe you should return to work. Then you wouldn't miss me so much." She teased him.
"Too troublesome." He yawned and snuggled with 'her' pillow. Temari left the bedroom and entered the bathroom that was attached.
After freshening up Temari reentered the bedroom. "I'm leaving now. I'll talk to you later."
That didn't sound like she was coming back.
"You're not staying again?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"You spend the night with your friends today."
"So?"
"I'll be visiting my brothers this weekend."
Shikamaru huffed. He knew better than to be upset but he was. He got used to her staying the past 2 days. He grew greedy. He really hoped she'd stay the weekend.
"I'm sure your family will be happy to see you."
"The children are very excited."
"I'll find some way to live without you this weekend." Shikamaru sighed dramatically.
Temari laughed. "I'm sure you'll manage."
She left for work with no more resistance from Shikamaru. He rolled over and went back to sleep. Shikamaru's day went on like normal.
He met up with his friends later that night for their weekly dinner. Menu for the night: tacos.
The taco truck they chose was extremely busy. It took awhile for everyone to get their food. Once everyone had their meal, sat at a nearby table, did they get to unwind from the week. Eventually their topic of discussion ended up with their boss.
Things tended to get awkward when she came up now.
"So...uh...how are t-things?" Sakura looked like she was forced to eat expired milk.
"Great. She stayed at my place the past 2 days."
"T-That's nice," Sakura tried to smile but her expression was more like she was trying to pass a kidney stone.
"I can't!" Ino's whole body practically shook. "It's just too weird! This isn't normal!"
Everyone murmured their agreement.
Shikamaru shrugged his shoulders. "I'm happy."
Everyone dropped their heads onto the table. There was no saving him. Except Hinata, she smiled.
"I-I'm glad."
Everyone sighed and agreed without really saying it.
"It's better than a murderer, I guess." Ino
"Everyone deserves a life partner!" Lee
"Misery loves company, in a strange way." Sakura
"At least she's not some crazy stalker." Kiba
"She's still a bitch." Sasuke
"We're all gonna die if she ever finds out." Naruto
Everyone shuddered.
"That's for faking the support guys."
Past the bustling city into the suburban life the Subaku family were enjoying a nice family dinner.
"Izumi you do not throw corn."
"Yota the corn is not going to kill you. Please eat it."
"But daaaaad" both children whined.
Shinki and Ryota quietly ate their meal with no trouble.
"Children you won't get to have ice cream afterwards if your meal isn't finished."
They loudly gasped.
"But aunty-"
"Listen to your aunt. She's your elder." Gaara lightly scolded the kids.
They pouted but did as they were told. After all, they didn't get to see her much. They wanted to make the most out of this weekend.
"Daddy how come Gecko is outside?" Izumi asked innocently.
"Because she's a dog."
All the children sulked. Gecko was a very well behaved dog but this wasn't her home. Her brother, Gaara, did not like animals in the home. The children pleaded and begged to let her in but Gaara was firm.
Matsuri almost managed to convince Gaara to let the dog in. Gaara was stubborn but thought of a compromise. Temari wasn't aware of his idea until she had gotten to his home. Upon their arrival her 3 nephews eagerly showed her Gecko's new home in their home.
In their backyard was a huge, and Temari had never seen such a large dog house, under their only tree. It was basically a tiny house. For her dog.
Temari opened the 'front door' and inside was a large dog bed, a large blanket, bowls, and a couple of toys. The house also had two windows installed. Temari could lie down inside with Gecko and still be comfortable.
This was not a cheap investment.
Temari had teased her brother that he was starting to like her dog. Gaara, of course, took offense to that comment. He had to defend his tough persona.
"Don't be ridiculous. You love that animal I don't."
"You bought her a house."
"And you let one small child make a life changing decision. Merely because you couldn't handle her tears."
Gaara was of course referring to the time when Temari first got Gecko.
~Flashback~
Temari was never allowed a pet when she was younger. Temari told herself she would get a pet when she had her life established. Even if it was small like a hamster. Then she started working. Working took up most of her time so she never got around to getting a companion.
Her brothers were not fans of animals in general. Any time their kids asked for a pet it was always a stern no.
The kids would cry to their aunty about the cruelness of their fathers. The crying was almost daily. One day Temari told the kids they could all get a pet 'together.' Temari had done some research and deemed a gecko would be suitable for her lifestyle.
The kids were over the moon. They would finally be getting a pet! Her brothers were not happy with Temari's decision. They said she was undermining their decision to not have animals in their homes.
They wouldn't care for the animal. She would. The children would help anytime they came to visit. It's not like she was buying them all an animal and dropping them off at their house. Temari told her brothers to stop being dicks and let the kids be happy about this.
Temari had everything prepared in her home. The tank, heat lamp, sensors to monitor the temperature, food, and anything a gecko would need in its habitat. All that was missing was the actual gecko. So Temari picked up the kids from her brothers and they went off to the pet store.
Honestly going to a pet store with 4 children, the youngest being 2, was probably a terrible idea. But her nephews and niece were all well behaved children, Temari didn't see this trip going wrong.
It went very wrong.
After finding the reptile section Temari and the children were in awe at all the scaly creatures. Izumi, Ryota, and Yota giggled in delight at all the colors. Shinki read the tiny card description of each animal.
It was a hard decision to pick just one.
"Get two?" Ryota asked shyly.
"Only one." Temari held up one finger.
The children continued to look for the perfect gecko. Shinki came to a decision after reading all the cards.
"Leopard gecko would be the best. This one looks the coolest."
Everyone crowded near the gecko Shinki pointed at. It was yellow in color with black spots. All the children fell in love. Temari was glad that there was no argument. She found a sales associate and informed them she would be taking the gecko. The associate placed a sticker that showed the gecko was spoken for.
Naturally the children wanted to look around all the other animals in the store. Temari stupidly agreed. The 'window' shopping was going well.
Until they reached the puppies.
Izumi lost her mind.
She screamed in delight. Other shoppers gave Temari a dirty look. She returned their look 10 fold. Before she could get ahead of the situation all the children ran to the group of puppies they had inside a play pen.
"Aunty look at that one! It's white like a cloud!" Yota pointed at a poodle puppy.
"Curly tail!" Ryota smiled at a pug.
"It's a police dog." Shinki pointed out a German Shepherd.
Izumi screamed in delight again at one of the largest puppies in the pen. Her loudness naturally scared the puppies. They ran away from the loud toddler. Except the large puppy. She ran in Izumi's direction and jumped up at the pen. The puppy barked and wagged its tail.
Izumi tried as best as she could to touch the puppy in the pen. The rest of the children went over to play with the puppy.
"It's stripped like a tiger." Yota giggled as the puppy licked his fingers. Ryota was patiently waiting his turn to pet the puppy.
"What kind of puppy is it?" Shinki asked his aunt.
Temari didn't have the slightest idea. She shook her head. "I'm not sure. But we have to get going. We've been here long enough already. Come on. We have to take the gecko home and pick a name for it."
The three boys pouted but reluctantly left the puppy pen. Izumi refused to move.
"Izumi let's go."
"No!" She stopped her foot.
Oh no. That wasn't a good sign. The boys turned to their aunt. Awaiting further instruction.
"Izumi we're going home."
"No!"
"Izumi. Now." Temari normally wasn't stern with her nephews or niece. They usually listened to her. She didn't have to repeat herself when she gave them instructions.
Izumi's bottom lip quivered as her eyes filled with tears.
Temari picked up the toddler. If she was going to act like a baby then she would have to be carried out like one. Temari did not expect Izumi's reaction at being picked up.
Izumi screamed. She screamed bloody murder.
The entire store, people and animals, stared at the toddle screaming her lungs out. Temari was at a complete loss. Izumi never behaved like this before! The boys covered their ears. Flinching at all the noise.
"Izumi that's enough!"
She only screamed louder with fat tears falling from her face.
Temari did what any sane person would do in that situation. She left the store with her nephews following closely behind.
Somehow Izumi screamed ever louder once they reached the car. She was practically hysterical. Temari was not going to budge. They were not going to get a puppy.
"Izumi your father will not be happy. If you don't behave we will have to leave the gecko at the store."
The boys began to protest.
"That's not fair!" Yota cried
Ryota began to silently cry.
Shinki did his best to comfort his brothers.
Izumi
Did
Not
Stop
Crying
Temari was at her wits end. She managed to get all the children in the car. She left the parking lot. Izumi cried louder. It was a miracle she still had a voice. Three out of four kids were crying now. Temari almost hit a lamp post.
Temari did what any normal intelligent person would do to make all the crying stop.
She returned to the pet store and slammed down a blank check at the cashier counter.
"Write whatever number it costs for the tiger dog."
After a long tense car ride to her penthouse Temari collapsed onto her couch. The children giggled and loved 'their' new puppy. Her brothers, despite saying they didn't care, asked to see a picture of the gecko. They said they wanted to see what animal their kids picked out.
Temari sent them a picture of the puppy peeing on her floor.
"This is the gecko."
Temari laughed at the memory. No more was said about the dog house.
"She has her house outside."
"But she'll get lonely!" Yota protested.
Temari knew for a fact Gecko was happily napping on her fluffy king sized dog bed. Her stuffed shark loyally by her side.
"It's ok guys. Gecko will be fine. It's not like we won't play with her often." Matsuri smiled at the children.
That gave them some peace.
Once dinner was finished everyone got some chocolate ice cream. This is when the children all spoke to their aunt about what they have been doing.
"We're learning about the planets!" Toya began the discussion.
"I can write my name!" Izumi eagerly shared next.
"My teacher wants me to do another play." Shinki clearly sounded like he would rather eat rocks.
"And I said he would!" Toya giggled.
"What?" Shinki snapped at his younger brother.
"You have to stay after school starting Monday." Toya practically gleamed with joy.
Shinki says nothing as he stares at Yota. Then in a blink of an eye both boys are running out of the kitchen and throughout the house. Matsuri gave Gaara a tired look.
"Your turn to handle them."
Gaara wordlessly stood from his chair and left the kitchen. Izumi and Ryota asked if they could have the ice cream that was abandoned by the others. Temari and Kankuro divided the ice cream evenly.
As Gaara was dealing with his two rowdy children, Matsuri gently nudged Ryota.
Ryota flushed red and began to pick at his ice cream. Temari knew that sign well. He wanted to ask her something but was too nervous.
"Ryota."
He shyly glanced up from his bowl.
"What would you like to ask me?"
He stabbed his ice cream a bit harshly with his spoon.
Kankuro snickered. "It's like looking at a baby Gaara." Temari silently agreed.
Ryota looked up at his aunt. "I know what I want to do for my birthday."
"Oh?"
He nervously shifted in his seat. "I wanna go see the butterflies. Then the stars at night."
"That sounds like a lot of fun."
Silence.
"C-Can you go?" Ryota mumbled.
"Of course. I would never miss a birthday."
Ryota grinned brightly. "Ok!"
Gaara returned with the boys.
"What do we say?"
"Sorry for our rude behavior." Both Shinki and Yota apologized.
"I think it's time for the children to go play. The grown ups need to chat a bit." Kankuro suggested.
"Can we watch a movie?" Izumi asked
"That's a great idea." Matsuri turned to her oldest child. "Please pick a movie you all want to see. I'll bring you kids some popcorn a little later."
"Yay!" All the children, except Shinki, cheered. Shinki ushered the children out the kitchen and into the living room.
Gaara retook his seat next to his wife.
Temari mentally sighed. Interrogation starting in 3...2…
"So baby sister what's new? Finally seeing someone?" Kankuro threw his arm around her shoulders.
Temari was a strong, confident, and a proud person. But in that moment she turned to a 15 year old who just got her first boyfriend. She couldn't bring herself to say anything. She knew her face was turning pink.
Matsuri squealed in delight.
Both Kankuro and Gaara stared at her in disbelief.
Temari refused to make eye contact with anyone.
"What's his name? How did you meet? Is he cute? Oh! This is so exciting!" Matsuri shook Gaara with every word that came out her mouth.
"Wait. Are you serious? You're actually seeing someone?" Kankuro was not convinced.
Gaara remained silent.
Temari threw her brother's arm off her. She was already feeling awkward about the situation. She wouldn't lie about something like this. Maybe she should leave…
"Oh boys stop it." Matsuri gave both Kankuro and Gaara an annoyed look. "Temari doesn't lie. Can't you be normal for 2 seconds and threaten to beat the guy?"
Silence.
"If he upsets you even remotely, I will fucking bust his kneecaps." Gaara finally spoke.
Temari rolled her eyes sky high. "Thanks."
"So who is he?"
Temari took out her phone and went to her photos. She wasn't one for taking pictures but Shikamaru insisted she needed one photo of them together. She knew Shikamaru had multiple photos of them and of her on his phone.
The photo was taken when she was staying at his place. It was just them sitting on the couch. Temari looked incredibly annoyed as Shikamaru smiled.
She gave her phone to Matsuri first. "He's name is Shikamaru."
"Oh he is cute."
Gaara looked at the photo and was not impressed.
"He looks stupid." Kankuro also wasn't impressed.
"Luckily I'm not looking for your approval." Temari took her phone back.
"Of course not. We all know our opinions don't matter." Kankuro rolled his eyes.
"I'm glad we're on the same page."
Kankuro flipped her the bird.
"I don't see the appeal."
Temari smiled sweetly at Gaara. "He's a very generous lover."
Kankuro gagged and Gaara started to turn green. Matsui was nearly screaming from how loud she was laughing.
"I don't need to know that!"
"Agreed."
"Don't be fucking babies. We all have sex here."
"La la la I can't hear you!" Kankuro covered his ears. Gaara's brow twitched in irritation.
"You should invite him to Ryota's birthday."
All three siblings were quick to shoot that idea down.
"Fuck that!" Kankuro
"He is a stranger." Gaara
"Matsuri, that's a family thing." Temari
"And he's now a person who is a part of your life. He's special. Otherwise you wouldn't have mentioned him to us. Please invite him."
Temari was still reluctant. Her brothers still hated the idea.
"Oh! And invite Tenten as well. The children absolutely love her stories."
Temari sighed. "Fine. If that's what you want."
"It's settled then!" Matsuri clapped once and stood from her chair. "I'm going to bring the children popcorn. You three catch up some more."
Then it was just the siblings sitting at the dining table.
It was silent once Matsuri left. No one said anything. They just stared at one another.
"Ryota is very excited about his birthday. Be sure to attend." Gaara was the first to break the silence.
"Excuse me? I never miss a birthday." Temari bristled at the comment.
"Can you blame him? If we don't drop the kids off at your place you don't see them." Kankuro crossed his arms across his chest.
"I make time when I can. I'm-"
"Busy. Yes we know. That's the fucking problem." Gaara frowned.
Temari took a deep breath to calm herself. "You act like we never see each other."
"We're lucky to see you on holidays." Gaara was not going to back down.
"You only barely started going to Suna with us over the summer. And that's only when Izumi learned to talk better and cried to you about not going!"
Tense silence.
Kankuro tried to diffuse the situation. It would do no one any good if this stupid argument kept his sister away. "Look Temari, you worry us. You're overworking yourself. Shit, before Tenten, you didn't even go out on the weekends!"
Temari stayed silent.
"We're not even gonna touch the subject of your...partners." Kankuro practically spat out the last word.
"This boyfriend...is only being tolerated because you are here now."
"What does that mean Gaara?"
"This Shukaku must be a decent influence on you. You wouldn't be here otherwise."
"It's Shikamaru."
"And we'll forever hate anything that has a penis that talks to you."
Temari wanted to throw her chair at her brothers. But she didn't. No matter how annoying they were they only spoke out for her best interest.
Kankuro stood up from his chair. He had enough of this discussion. As he walked out the kitchen he yelled out, "kids bust out Monopoly or something. Your aunt's getting weird on me!"
"Daddy! No!" Izumi complained.
"Twister!" Yota cheered.
Gaara asked one last thing before joining the rest of the family.
"Does he make you happy?"
Temari didn't hesitant with her answer. "Yes."
"Then nothing else matters."
Temari sat alone in the kitchen for a moment. Normally she didn't let what her brothers say get to her. Tonight they spoke nothing but truth. She needed a moment to collect herself. She wasn't going to cry in front of her family.
Gaara was right about one thing.
She wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Shikamaru.
Writer's block hit me with the full force of a bus. This chapter took me way longer than it should have to finish. Whatever road map I had in my brain is gone. Ugh I'm sorry guys. Motivation has been depleted. I'll try my best to keep chapters coming in a semi timely manner. Thank you to everyone who reads, follows, and favors the story! I appreciate everyone who takes the time to read my silly ideas ^-^
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