Disclaimer: I don't own anything
Shikamaru was a bit nervous. Today was Temari's nephew's birthday and he would be meeting her family. This was a huge step. But guilt continues to grow in the pit of his stomach ever since leaving his parents house.
He prayed to God, Kami, the sun or whatever controlled the universe to have the day go well. He wasn't mentally prepared to die just yet. He hasn't given his parents a grandchild yet. That alone would make his mother perform dark magic. She would resurrect him, murder him a 1000 different ways for being a terrible person.
Maybe he would get hit by a bus on the way to the butterfly exhibit? Maybe get run over by a taxi on the way to the planetarium?
Or maybe Tenten would take pity on him and give him a quick death. Her sword collection was very impressive.
Shikamaru shook his head. He needed to relax. Today was a child's birthday. If he brought down the good vibe then he would be ruining an innocent person's day. Not to mention Temari's brother would probably kill him for his organs to sell on the black market.
Sweat was now clinging to his clothes. Great.
Now he was sticky.
He took extra time to clean himself up before Temari picked him up.
Temari was also nervous about today. She was certain her brothers would not be on their best behavior. Shikamaru was going to be a sacrificial lamb. But one thing was a given. Everyone would do their best to make Ryota's birthday fun.
Once she was ready, Temari left her penthouse. She picked up Shikamaru and the car ride was a bit quiet to the butterfly exhibit. Shikamaru was the first to break the silence.
"You ok?"
"Yes."
"You're clutching the steering wheel."
Temari loosened her grip. She hadn't realized.
"I haven't…. brought someone over…. to meet my family in a very long time."
"It's alright. We'll be embarrassed together."
Temari did feel better hearing him say that.
Arriving at the butterfly exhibit, Temari spotted her family just outside the entrance. She decided to give Shikamaru one final warning before getting out of the car.
"My brothers are assholes. I'm sorry for everything they will say."
Shikamaru smiled. "I won't be scared away."
The couple exited the car and made their way over to the birthday boy. The children, upon seeing their aunty, screamed in joy and ran. Shiniki was the only one who didn't scream. He still ran.
Temari was engulfed in a large hug from her nephews and niece.
As their excitement died down, Izumi was the first to notice their new guest.
"It's the Silly Man!"
All the children didn't let go of their aunt but their attention was diverted.
"Hi Silly Man!" Yota was the first to greet him.
Shinki gave him a weary glance. Izumi waved enthusiastically while Ryota hid.
Shikamaru gave Temari a puzzled look. "Silly Man?" Temari could only shake her head. She didn't know why they called him that.
"Children! That is not his name." Matsuri scolded them. She gave Shikamaru an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry they're just excited."
"I'm not bothered by it." Shikamaru chuckled. "It's very nice to meet all of you. Temari talks about you guys a lot."
"Ha! Fat chance."
Gaara sniggered in agreement. Matsuri gave her husband a warning look. Izumi untangled herself from the group hug. She marched over to her father and pointed her finger at him.
"Daddy you promised to be nice!"
"I am nice!"
"No you're being a meany!"
"I am not!"
Yota also left the group hug. He laughed as he tacked his uncle's leg. "Meanie! Meanie!"
Kankuro lifted his nephew in the air and spun him. Yota laughed in delight. Izumi jumped up and down demanding her father spin her around.
Shinki wasn't very happy a stranger was joining their family for his brother's birthday. He promised his mother he would be on his best behavior. That didn't mean he had to be happy about the situation.
"Are we going inside now?"
"Tenten isn't here." His father answered his question.
Ryota still remained by his aunty's side. Well the side that wasn't being held by Shinki. He held her hand. He continued to sneak glances at the stranger. He seemed ok. He didn't understand why his father and uncle didn't like him.
Matsuri took it upon herself to make Shikamaru feel more welcomed.
"So Shikamaru how did you meet Temari?"
"At a coffee shop."
"He stalked me at the coffee shop."
"I did not stalk you."
Shinki frowned and Ryota looked confused. Matsuri giggled and Gaara looked irritated. Kankuro, Yota, and Izumi were blissfully unaware.
Shikamaru began to internally panic. He could feel Gaara's annoyance directed at him. Kankuro practically ignored his existence at this point. He also got the sense Shinki didn't care for him. If Temari's nephews or niece didn't like him then she might dump him right then and there.
He was starting to sweat again.
Luck happened to be on side at that moment. Tenten finally arrived.
"Alright kids, who's ready to hunt the shit out of some butterflies?!"
Kankuro laughed loudly.
Gaara continued to look irritated.
Matsuri stifled a giggle.
The children all cheered upon seeing her.
"Tenten what the fuck are you wearing?"
Tenten, if she could, would have done a superhero landing to announce her presence. A dramatic leap and pose worked just as well. Combat boots on her feet, cargo shorts, and a camo tank top. The finishing touch to her outfit, a headband worn across her forehead with a strange symbol in the center.
"What? You guys never seen a person dressed for a hunt?"
"You look rid-"
"Fucking awesome!" Kankuro gave Tenten a high five as a greeting.
"Thank you!" Tenten stuck her tongue out at Temari. Temari rolled her eyes.
"I'm so happy you could make it." Matsuri hugged her next.
"Thanks for the invite!"
Gaara and Tenten made eye contact.
Gaara narrowed his eyes. Tenten grinned.
He crossed his arms over his chest. Tenten's eyes lit up.
Tenten ran full force at the red head. Gaara watched in anticipation before stepping aside the last moment and flipping Tenten onto her back. She landed onto the ground with an audible 'oof'.
The children all ran to the fallen Tenten.
"You almost got him that time!" Yota
"Stealth attack would work better." Shinki
"That was sooo cool!" Izumi
"Are you ok?" Ryota
Shikamaru's head was spinning. None of the other adults batted an eye at what just happened. Hell, the children all acted like this was a normal occurrence!
Sweat was pooling on his palms. He secretly wiped his hands on his pants.
Gaara helped Tenten off the ground.
"One day I will give you a hug!"
"Doubtful."
Seeing Temari finally free of children, Shikamaru snatched her hand before it was taken. Temari bit her tongue to hold in her laughter. She patted his arm in sympathy.
"I don't think I've heard you curse like that before."
"You're going to hear a lot of foul language today."
"Your brother just flipped Tenten. Like a pancake."
"We studied some martial arts when we were younger."
"For a hug?"
"Tenten is very determined to hug Gaara."
"Why?"
Temari shrugged.
"Alright everyone! Now that we're all here, time to see the butterflies!" Matsuri rallied everyone together. The younger children smiled, jumped in excitement, and with Shinki walked ahead of the adults.
Shikamaru stuck to Temari, and Tenten joined them. Gaara, Matsuri, and Kankuro formed their own trio. Everyone entered the building.
The exhibit was covered with colorful plants, trees, lights, and of course butterflies. The group were given a sheet with the 10 most common butterflies seen in their exhibit. Naturally Tenten asked how many they really had and the host informed them they had over 300.
Tenten and the children set off to find as many butterflies as they could.
Gaara and Matsuri walked off on their own. Kankuro went off to watch the children. He couldn't trust Tenten to watch all the kids on her own. Leaving Shikamaru and Temari together.
Shikamaru felt himself calm down. Meeting the family was always nerve wrecking.
The couple walked at a leisurely pace. They counted out loud when they spotted a new butterfly. Currently they have spotted 6.
"Any thoughts about running away?"
Shikamaru let go of her hand to wrap his arm around her. "Thought about it. But that would be too troublesome."
"You're terrified to leave."
"100%"
Temari wasn't one who was big on public displays of affection. Today she felt she could break that a bit. Shikamaru was very out of his element with her dysfunctional family. She stopped him to kiss his lips.
"Thank you for coming."
He returned her small peck for a deeper kiss.
"Wouldn't miss it."
"Aunty! Aunty!"
Both turned to see an excited Ryota speed walk to them. There were signs posted saying 'please do not run'. A tiny magnifying glass in his right hand.
"Come see this caterpillar!"
He eagerly grabbed her arm and dragged her away.
Shikamaru smiled at the scene. Temari happily obliged her nephew. She gently took the magnifying glass from him as he pointed out the spot. Ryota's eyes held nothing but happiness as he chatted.
"Hey Shukaku."
Shikamaru turned his head to see Kankuro looking right at him. Shikamaru looked around in confusion. Maybe he spotted someone he knows?
"Smart ass I'm talking to you."
Shikamaru scratched the back of his neck. "My name is-"
"Yea, I don't really care."
That shut him up.
Kankuro looked him up and down with a scowl on his face. He clearly wasn't happy.
"You got some nerve coming to a family gathering."
"I was invited?"
"That doesn't mean you come!"
Shikamaru could only blink. He didn't know how to respond. He was well liked by most people. He usually didn't have to deal with people who hate his guts. He could feel Kankuro trying to bury him alive with his glare alone.
"Look just...just don't do any stupid!"
"I won't?"
Kankuro stormed off.
What a weird encounter.
He turned to walk after Temari. He took, maybe 3 steps, when he was stopped again.
"Shukaku."
Shikamaru sighed. Man, her brothers did not like him.
"Its-"
"Hurt my sister and you will not be able to breathe on your own."
Shivers went down his spine.
Gaara left without another word.
Shikamaru all but ran toward Temari and Ryota.
"Hey Shikamaru. Look at this spiky caterpillar. It almost puts Kankuro to shame."
Ryota shyly handed the magnifying glass to him.
Shikamaru smiled at him. He looked through the glass.
"It's like a pin cushion."
"I-It called a C-Cairns Birdwing-Caterpillar."
"I'm only familiar with the Monarch butterflies."
"Everyone knows those!"
"I don't know my insects very well."
Ryota shook his head. That wouldn't do! He grabbed both his hand and his aunty's. He had to show them all the cool butterflies!
Everyone had a fun time at the butterfly exhibit. By the end; Tenten, Yota, and Shinki had spotted over 50 different butterflies. Ryota talked to Shikamaru in great detail about all the many butterflies he knew. Everyone was a bit shocked how easily Ryota was speaking to Shikamaru. Normally it took him a longer time to speak with new people so freely.
Kankuro and Gaara still weren't happy with their guest. Matsuri did give both of them a stern talking to about being nice. Especially since the kids seemed to like him. Except Shinki, he was too much like his father. Wary of strangers. They still glared at him for the entire day.
Burgers and chili fries were eaten afterwards.
The day was finished at the planetarium. The children ooh and aww at the visual presentation. Kankuro fell asleep, Gaara made out with Matsuri like teenagers in a dark movie theatre. Tenten, Temari, and Shikamaru made a bet who could name the most constellations.
Shinki won that bet. Shikamaru came in second.
This impressed Shinki. So Silly Man was knowledgeable about stars. Maybe he wasn't a terrible person. Afterwards all the children got ice cream. Shinki continued to discuss space with Shikamaru.
"How do you know so much?"
"Wanted to be an astronaut when I was younger."
"Really?" Temari asked.
Shikamaru blushed a bit. "Yea I read all the books about space that I could find. Dragged my parents to places like this."
"How come you're not an astronaut?" Yota asked
"I like sleeping too much."
The children giggled. Tenten nudged Temari and winked at her. Temari smacked her and hissed 'shut up.' Kankuro and Gaara ignored that inside joke. Matsuri asked an employee if they could take a photo of the family.
In all Ryota really enjoyed his birthday. He thanked everyone for coming and making it fun.
Tenten offered to drive Shikamaru home since they lived in the same direction. Shikamaru agreed. The children hugged Tenten goodbye while they waved goodbye to Silly Man. Shikamaru didn't get a proper goodbye from Temari's brothers. He didn't expect to but Matsuri hugged him.
Kankuro called him a pineapple and Gaara told Tenten to drive safely.
Shikamaru kissed Temari before leaving.
The children all hugged Temari before leaving home with their parents. Her brothers and Matsuri hugged her as well. Temari gave Ryota an extra hug and kiss before wishing him another happy birthday.
Ryota shyly asked if Shikamaru would be around for more family parties.
"Depends. Do you like him?"
He nodded.
"Then yes."
Ryota fidgeted.
"What do you want to tell me."
"I like him."
"Yea?"
Ryota smiled shyly. "He looks at you the same way daddy looks at mommy."
Temari's heart stopped.
Ryota ran back to his parents after dropping that bombshell.
So I waited longer to make sure the site isn't having problems before posting. But in doing so I lost motivation, again. Ugh. I can't win. *cries* This chapter was so freaking hard to write. Hopefully the next one won't kill my brain. Be gentle guys. Thank you as always for reading and reviewing! Appreciate it!
Thank you:
V
Alexia