I don't own Naruto or any of it's characters.
This story was inspired by A Second Chance by jokergirl2001. I have read eight of the writer's stories and A second chance was the one that I loved the most. It has been a while since they edited it so I wanted to write my own story. I am not copying their story. I am using the idea that my oc came into this life when Yoshino died in childbirth. Besides that this is my story not a re edited version of A second chance. Enjoy and Review or Favorite!
Recent edit is at the end I only removed a sentence. So you don't have to read the whole thing over again. Next chapter will be coming soon.
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That very same day Shikaku signed Shikamaru and I out. Mizu was helping me pack all of the books and note books she brought so I could take it with me.
"Did you want to keep all of them? Or did you just want to take the ones you haven't finished?" She asked while pulling the books from the shelf.
'I want to take all of them. They are precious to me and I actually like reading them.' I glanced at Shikaku as he held Shika.
'Could you ask him if we need to take the baby stuff? Also if there is a place to put my things and if we sleep in different rooms?' I asked her.
"I'm not going to ask that!" She looked scadelized.
I stared at her until she caved.
"Chi-san wanted to know if she had to also take the baby stuff? Also if you lived in separate rooms and where she could put her things?" She grimaced as she asked.
I just grinned at her when she glared at me.
"She shouldn't have to take the baby stuff some of the women in the clan took it upon themselves to stock his room with diapers and the likes. We do live in separate rooms from what I remember. You should have a bookcase in your room." He answered after looking at me.
'Do you think that Nara-san has pants in her wordrobe?' I asked her when we finished packing all of the books into the bags she brought them in.
"Pants? Definitely not, she was very traditional and snotty so her closet is probably filled with expensive kimonos." Mizu giggled at my sour expression.
"I have a day off tomorrow so we could go through her stuff and I will bring you some of my sisters stuff. She hated wearing dresses and skirts during her pregnancy so she should still have stuff from her first trimester." Mizu offered.
I smiled at her before heading over to Shikaku to take Shika from him when he started his hungry cry. I sat in the rocking chair trying to figure out how to do this with both of them in the room. I grabbed one of Shika's blankets and put it over my chest before maneuvering the arm that wasn't holding Shika so I could pull one side of my shirt up to expose my Breast. I moved him to the breast making sure that he was comfortable and the blanket covered everything.
I scowled when Mizu laughed at me when I jumped as Shika latched onto my breast.
"Did come to tell you about what the plan is?" Mizu asked when she stopped laughing.
I waved at the pen and paper I left on Shika's changing table. When she gave it to me I told her what he told me.
"But if he was going to wait till Nara-sama came back then why are you allowed to be discharged?"
I shrugged before lifting the blanket so I could check on Shika. He was asleep with his mouth still sucking a little. I moved him a little so I could pull him away. When I took his mouth off his eyes opened and he glared at me before latching back onto my nipple. He started to suck steadily again so I left him alone.
"Is he being lazy again?" Mizu asked with a smile.
I gave her a disgruntled face before I started to rock in the chair. Shikaku must have had a look on his face so she explained.
"Shika-chan has now started to doze off mid feeding so when Chi-san tries to pull him off he just glares at her before eating again." She started to giggle at the end.
She was there the first time he did it so she is probably remembering how annoyed and angry I was when he did it.
Shikaku just chuckled at the explanation before moving the bags next to the door. He opened the door when someone knocked on it. greeted us before Shikaku let him in.
"Hello everyone. I'm glad I caught you before you left. I have been a little overwhelmed so I almost forgot to discuss Yoshino-san's health." He said standing in front of the bed.
Shikaku stood by me and Mizu sat on the bed as she folded the onesies that Shika had to put in the bag.
"So as you both know Yoshino-san's heart and lungs stopped working after Shikamaru was born. In the ten minutes that no oxygen was reaching Yoshino-san's brain her chakra was changing. Her spiritual chakra grew to that of a five times its original size. Her chakra went through her pathways opening them up when she was in that state. As the days went by her spiritual chakra continues to grow as well as her reserves all while her pathways continue to mature. I would have been worried about the backlash it could have on her body but since she has been doing physical training everyday since she woke back up it has kept her from going critical. I want to say that keeping her here is the best choice until her chakra stops growing but I believe that going home and making a training plan is the best choice. I want her to have check ups every two weeks. Until then you need to make a training plan that will catch her body up with her mind." announces.
'So if I wasn't working out everyday I would have died again?' I write out.
"Unfortunately yes. Now I don't know what caused the change and I don't believe that it is replicatible. I would have to sum it up as a condition that your body has so I don't have any more answers." says looking at us for any questions.
'Can Shikamaru have it?' I wrote before getting Shikaku to ask.
"The only way to know would be if he dies. I'm sorry I don't have any more answers." He answered before wishing us a good day and leaving.
"Well that was depressing and worrying. Are you sure you're ready to go home Chi-chan?" Mizu commented in the silence.
"I want to go home." My voice sounded like a smoker's voice but it was so quiet.
"You can come over anytime during the day Himura-san." Shikaku said to Mizu with a smile.
"You take care of yourself and Shika-chan. I will see you tomorrow." Mizu said before she left.
Shikamaru finished eating so I gave him to Shikaku to burp along with his burp cloth. I adjusted my bra before putting my shirt back on. I removed the blanket and put it flat on the bed. I took Shikamaru from Shikaku before putting him on the blanket and swaddling him. I put my shoes on and grabbed Shikamaru before leaving. Shikaku was right behind me with our bags.
I could feel everyone staring at me as I walked by with Shikamaru and Shikaku. I could practically see their judgments, unjust disgust, and vicious comments. I didn't give a damn about what the phonies think of me. I don't care if they believe that I don't have any memories. The only opinions that matter are those of my family and friends.
I glanced at Shikaku after we passed some very loud housewives that were loudly saying that he needed a new wife. He was looking straight ahead not even acknowledging the whispers and loud comments. He looked relaxed and ignorant of the people around us. I didn't really believe that but I also didn't want to know what he really thought of me.
The people thinned out and the homes got older. Soon we were walking by a low wall. The trees got thicker and the streets got less crowded. I didn't relax even though there weren't many people around. It wasn't the people that bothered me but I just realised I was going home with Shikaku, my apparent husband. Home is now with him and Shikamaru in a place where everyone probably hates me. He probably hates me. I mean he never said he didn't and all he has done is look at my reactions for anything now that I think about it. In my old body I would be completely composed but in this one I could feel my shaking and the cold sweat across my neck and face. My heart was pounding and my breathing was uneven. Shikaku started to walk to a gate and I could see houses between the trees.
I stop in my tracks just before I step through the gates. I could feel something boiling under my skin and I started to hyperventilate. A ringing started in my ears and my vision narrowed. I vaguely hear someone saying something. I can't focus on anything. It feels like someone is pulling my mind away from my body. Whispers telling me to let go. I'm about to until I feel two things.
One was the warm soothing spreading across my back, it reminded me of taking a nap in the shade on a good day. The second thing was a light squirming warmth in my arms spreading across them. This one was like the first but was smoother and a little more relaxed. The boiling that I felt under my skin reached out to the things cooling down as it matched the flow from them. The whispers went away.
When I opened my eyes I realised that I was clutching Shikamaru to my chest and I had fallen to my knees at some point during my… episode? I took a deep breath feeling the sweat that was on my neck and face dry. I tried to get my shaking under control but I couldn't as I measured my breathing. The hand on my back that I forgot about rubbed my back in circles and the warmth or chakra that I latched on to slowly pulled away. My whole body tensed and my own chakra held on tighter. The hand paused before moving again and they left the chakra stayed inside of me.
My shaking stopped and my breathing slowed. I loosened my grip on Shikamaru only to smile when I saw him sleeping. The hand on my back stopped moving and cautiously pulled their chakra back. I didn't stop them this time. The person wrapped their arm around my waist, lifting me to my feet. My legs felt wobbly so I leaned back on the person. My neck felt like a noodle as I tilted my head up to see who held me. I lock eyes with Shikaku, his dark eyes searching mine. He didn't find what he wanted if the small frown on his face said anything.
My whole body felt heavy and I let my head drop as it tired me out. I didn't do anything ignoring the voices around me focusing on Shikamaru in my arms as he slept and the low rumble I felt as Shikaku talked. I was relaxed until I felt someone reaching for Shikamaru. I tensed up and my eyes snapped open to look at the person. I growled with a snarl on my lips. The woman that was reaching out froze in place eyes wide as she looked at me.
"Don't touch my baby." I growled my whole body winding up like a spring.
The woman had long red hair and amethyst eyes. I could see the muscle under the casual dress she wore. She was also about nine months pregnant. She looked nice (familiar) and under any other circumstances I would have liked to talk to her but I just went through something traumatizing. Her trying to take my baby was more like a threat than anything. I wasn't holding back at all. Through the haze that has taken over my mind I could tell that my chakra has acted on my intent and has projected my threat.
In my old world people already said that my aura when I did that was scary and by the woman's reaction I probably am scarier than satan. She was pale and shaking. Whispering something over and over under her breath as she sank down to her knees staring at me in horror.
In my haze I also feel someone else that was familiar. They were fighting so I unconsciously pressed on them more till they stopped and submitted to me. I kept doing this while growling at the threats until I felt two arms wrap around me. One was on my waist and the other was around my shoulders. I get pulled to a warm embrace, the scent of smoke, woods, and rain enveloped me. I then heard the words that used to be ringing in my ears.
"You need to stop. They won't take him. I will never let anyone take him. They are not a threat, they know their place so you can stop." A deep rough voice pierced through the haze.
I looked around to see not only the woman on her knees but a lot of men and women holding their heads on the ground in submission. The person that was fighting was the Blond man from the hospital with the black people scattered around him. All of them bowing in submission. I stopped growling and let my aura disappear as I walked out of the arms that held me. I sat on the wall holding Shikamaru close to me as everyone started to get up.
Everything felt like it was on fire and I was completely exhausted. I could vaguely see people moving around and Shikaku and the Blond man (Hokage, Minato) talking to each other and the other people. I let my eyes wander and I see the Red haired woman still on the ground. I sigh before getting up and walking over to her.
"I'm sorry…" I say when I get close enough.
The woman looks up from where she sat on the ground.
"I wasn't aware there were other people and I was in a bad mind set when you approached. I didn't like that a stranger was trying to take my baby away from me." I say quickly before coughing.
Shikamaru squirmed as I coughed and I lightly rocked him back to sleep after I finished.
"So you really don't remember anything?" The woman asked after my coughing stopped.
I frowned before nodding. I extended my hand, waving it in front of her when she only staired. She grabbed it and I pulled her up from the ground. A river of fire flowed through my veins when I did that. As soon as she was up I let go and went back to my spot on the wall. The woman followed me and sat next to me.
My vision started to get dark around the edges and my body started to burn even more. I lifted my head looking for Shikaku. I found him talking to Minato (Hokage). I got up and started walking towards them. I ignored the people I bumped into and when I couldn't hold my head up any longer I let it drop. I went closer to where I felt Shikaku's chakra and soon enough I stood in front of him. I ignored Minato (Hokage) and everyone else as I felt their wariness.
"Take him." I interrupted what Minato was saying.
"Take him now." I said as I started to lose feeling in my legs.
Shikamaru was lifted from my arms just as whatever was keeping me on my feet failed and I blacked out. Last thing I felt was someone's arms around me.
…
When I wake up again I'm in a full sized bed.
'I thought that I would be in the hospital…' I thought as I sat up.
The room was plain with no sentimentals or anything. The room was bare but I was guessing that the closet had everything and that all of it was expensive. As I got up from the bed I noticed that I was changed into a t-shirt and shorts. I also noticed that all of my books were on the bookshelf.
'Definitely Yoshino's room.' Crossed my mind as I left the room.
I open the sliding door. From the room and hallway it looks like the house has a traditional japanese style. I open the door across from me to see a bathroom. It had a bath and shower with a stool in the back which is closed off by another door. The sink and toilet are in the first part. I shut the door behind me and looked at the next room.
Opening the door left of my room it opens to show a baby crib and a room filled with baby stuff.
'Good. Shika-chan's room is right next to mine.' I thought to myself.
The room wasn't organised and his changing table wasn't put together yet. Bags were around the room probably filled with clothes, blankets, spit rags, and toys. The room was plain, there wasn't even a baby mobile. I close the door heading to the one across from it. The room had a king sized bed with furs on the bed. The walls were painted a light brown and it smelled like smoke, wood, and rain. There were a couple of pictures around the room and weapons on the nightstand.
'Shikaku's room.' I closed the door.
I could already hear people talking down stairs from in front of Shikaku's room. From what I could sense it was Shikaku, Shikamaru, Minato, the woman from earlier, and six other people, two of them babies. I went back to my room grabbing my writing notebook and made my way down stairs. My steps were nonexistent as I walked down the stairs listening to the voices as they got louder and clearer.
"–She's faking it. There is no way that she has amnesia. That woman called Shikamaru an it and she is a selfish, stuck up gold digger. I don't believe that she has amnesia." A woman scoffs.
I walk into the room making a little noise walking down the hall. Everyone turned at the sound surprised that I was there. They were all sitting in the living room. Shikaku and Minato were on the small couch. Red was on the ground in front of them with the babies. The other people were on the long couch. One set was a man and woman both a little heavy set. The man looked strong with squinty eyes and markings on his cheeks. The woman had a softness about her with her brown hair and hazel eyes. She also had marks on her cheeks. The other set was a blond man with long hair and pupiless light blue eyes. The woman next to him looked stern. She had light brown hair with brown eyes.
I was guessing the woman that was talking was one of them. I walked to the doorway that led to what I was guessing was the kitchen. I ignored the looks I was getting and went in there to get a glass of water. I drank the cool water sighing as the soreness in my throat dwindled. I walked out just in time for Shikamaru to start his hungry cry.
I grabbed a Shika's baby blanket that was on the armrest next to Minato walking over to the babies. Red was rocking Shikamaru trying to calm him but he kept crying. I grabbed him from her turning around so that I could feed him in his room.
"Can I help?" Red asked as I walked away.
I nodded and she got up like she wasn't pregnant. I only blinked as she practically skipped after me. I led her to his room. When I walked into the room I frowned as I realised that there wasn't a rocking chair. I sat on the grown in the only space that wasn't covered in shopping bags. I put the blanket on my chest moving Shika so I could move my shirt and bra. When I get him situated I look up to see Red looking at me.
'Could you look for a burp cloth and burp him after. Then he needs to be put down for his nap. If you want to help me go through all of this that would be great.' I wrote out before showing it to her.
"Sure thing! I can't wait to see the clothes in the bags. They must be really cute!" She said before looking through the bags.
"I'm Kushina by the way. Do you really not remember anything? I mean you didn't know where you were? Or that you were married and had a baby?" Kushina asked, going through one of the bags pulling clothes out and throwing them in front of the closet.
'I didn't know any of that. The only thing I knew was basic things like the sky is blue, grass is green, two plus two is four, I was in a hospital, I was a woman, How to talk. Things like that. I didn't know any personal things like that I was married, I had a baby, who I was, and where I was.' I wrote.
"That sounds scary. Not knowing anything about anything." She tossed toys in the corner by the door.
'What is even worse is having strangers put labels on me saying I should be like that because of this but I had no idea why I should act like that and not myself. It's easier to be with Shikamaru because he doesn't expect me to be like the horrible wife she was before he was born. I mean it's nice to have Shikaku there. But no matter how nice he is I still feel like he is just waiting for me to do or say something like she did so he could stop playing nice.' I handed Shikamaru over when he finished.
She nods as she puts the brand new cloth over her shoulder before readjusting Shikamaru.
I scoot over to the closest bag to start pulling stuff out. After she is done burping him She sets him down in the crib and goes to the closest bag to start unpacking. About half an hour later we had finished unloading the bags, putting them in a corner and we were folding the blankets. We put the changing table and rocking chair on the other side of the room so we could put them together later. Shikaku and Minato come up the stairs a little later.
"We picked up some food if you want it. It's BBQ." Shikaku says softly.
"Great, I'm starving." Kushina gets up like she wasn't carrying another life.
I follow them, closing the door behind us making sure to grab my notebook and pencil. Dinner was quiet. Well I didn't say anything Kushina was rambling about all of the cute clothes and toys that Shika now has.
"Oh I can't forget that both of you need to put the rocking chair and changing table together. We finished folding and putting all of the blankets away in his dresser. We are about half way through the pile of clothes he has. We separated them by age since there are newborn and toddler clothes. We decided to hang the toddler clothes and put all of the onesies and socks in his dresser. The shoes will also go into the closet. The toys are in the chest in the closet and we put some stuffed animals into his crib. Not a lot, just five. We couldn't find the mobile though we do have a playpen and walker." Kushina said in one breath.
I was just staring at her with my chopsticks halfway to my mouth. She smiled at me and I blinked before going back to eat. As I finished chewing I grabbed my notebook writing an idea on it before putting it back.
"What do you do in that besides talk?" Kushina asked as she sipped on her tea.
I hand her my notebook and keep eating, ignoring how Shikaku and Minato get closer to look. I didn't have anything shameful in there. The only thing they should see are half finished conversations and drawings and doodles. Some colored some not. I didn't pay attention to their reactions, only focusing on eating the delicious food in front of me. I had just finished the stir fried veggies when they said something.
"The words are confusing but these drawings are so pretty. I never knew that a bird could look so pretty." Kushina shows me the page she was talking about.
On the page was a raven standing on a branch with its wings spread about to take off. The picture was colored and I put a lot of detail on the picture. From the placement of the bark to the light bouncing off of the ravens feathers. This was one of the hardest pictures I had drawn in there. I had drawn it while Shikamaru was taking a nap after being fed. I grabbed the book from her turning to the last page I wrote on writing something else.
'A different perspective can make anything look beautiful. Even the most common things.' I handed the book back to her.
"That's a unique perspective." Minato said.
I was in the middle of biting a dumpling when he said something. My surprise was all over my face. Shoving the dumpling into my mouth I grab my book back quickly writing.
'You actually talked to me? I thought you hated Yoshino? Is this a trick?' I shoved the book into his face.
"Of course I don't hate you, Yoshino-san, you're my teammate's wife." He smiled.
I nodded and went to take a sip of my water only to realise that it was empty.
"Oh I'll get you some more. I want to drink more tea anyway." Kushina got up taking my cup with her.
I look back at my plate only to see Minato smile at me when he caught my eye.
"Don't pretend to like me. I can see that you don't. That fake smile on your face makes me want to punch you." I say and the smile is wiped off his face.
When Kushina comes back I thank her with a nod. For the rest of the dinner Shikaku and Kushina are the only ones talking while I give my input once in a while. Minato doesn't say anything and I don't look in his direction. After dinner they leave to go back home.
I go to Shikamaru's room to finish sorting through all the clothes. Only a couple of minutes later Shikaku comes in with my notebook.
"You can paint the room if you want." He says putting my notebook on Shikamaru's dresser.
I smile at him before turning back to the clothes. We had finished hanging everything up when we stopped to eat so I was putting the onesies and socks away after folding them.
"How did you know Minato's smile was fake? Some people have known him for years and never known that that was a fake smile." Shikaku asked from the other side of the room.
I turn to him only to see him sitting on the ground putting the changing table together. I looked at him for a while before opening my mouth for the third time today.
"The same way I know that you don't think of him as just a friend and that he has no idea that you feel this way." I said it like a fact.
I wasn't lying. I saw the way Shikaku gave Minato all of his attention when he spoke even if it looked like he wasn't listening. I saw how when they sat on the same couch Shikaku didn't slouch as much as he usually did and he would always be aware of when Minato moved. It didn't take an expert to see that. It wasn't obvious and someone that has known them for a long time would think that was the norm or wouldn't notice. But I was a naturally observant person and I had just met both of them. I also noticed that Kushina knew about it but I wasn't going to say anything about that anytime soon.
"To anyone that knew you they wouldn't notice but I just met you today Shikaku so I didn't brush the almost invisible gestures off. If you're worried about me saying anything I won't. Also I don't mind that you're in love with him. I would be too, you know if he didn't hate me that is." I said when he froze.
He didn't say anything and neither did I.
When I went in later that night to feed Shikamaru everything was put together and on the rocking chair was a note and a pouch filled with yen.
'Thank you.' Was the only thing written on it.
…
Thank you for reading and Following. I hope that you continue to read this. I had inspiration to write other stories so updates will be in a couple of weeks or a month or two. Check out my other stories. Review and favorite.