Thanks to all of you who reviewed, especially Nash and Hlomondodeli Majoribanks (I love you dedication! blows kisses) I love hearing from you.
This is the rest of 'Of curses and blessings', instead of one LONG chapter, I made two shorter ones, just to piss you guys off! (kidding…) Hope you all like it! (I feel so awesome, 2 updates in one day!)
Ino was holding up very well in Shikamaru's absence for a while, until a strange sort of sickness began to take hold of her. Chouji would visit almost daily, checking up on his friend.
Upon finding her collapsed on the bathroom floor one day, he rushed her to the hospital, where we now find our heroine in examination with Sakura.
"So, you've been feeling sick for a few weeks now"
Ino nodded wearily.
"You don't feel to depressed, with Shikamaru being gone? Could that be it?"
"I miss him of course, but I don't think that's what's making me sick, Forehead..."
Sakura ran a few tests and, after another hour of waiting for results, she re-entered the room where Ino and Chouji waited, a devilish grinspread acrossher lips as she faced her friend.
"So, Ino-pig. It seems that you and Shikamaru had a lot of fun before his departure, eh?"
Ino blushed a violent shade of pink. "W-what does that have to do with anything!" She huffed.
Sakura raised her hands in self-defense. "Whoa, whoa, Ino-pig! I'm just saying I found out why you're getting sick! You're pregnant! A month along already. It must be a honeymoon baby!"
Ino just stared at the pink-haired med-nin, dumbfounded.
Chouji was the first of the two to speak up, "P-pregnant?", he studdered, glancing down at her, not knowing what else to say.
Ino stared at her stomach in disbelief.
'A baby? My baby? Mine and Shikas' baby...'
Ino smiled with bliss, hugging her friends in celebration.
"I'm going to have a baby!"
The weeks passed more quickly now, as Ino became more and more occupied with her expectancy.
So much had to be done; their small apartment was much to small to raise a child in, clothes and furniture would need to be bought, showers, preparations, so much to do!
Chouji was there for her 100, as always, helping her find a new house, move into it, furnish the baby's room, constantly remind her of how happy Shikamaru was going to be upon his return, Ino couldn't be more grateful to him.
At her baby shower, almost everyone she knew came to give their congratulations, offering presents, advice and the occasional check for her. Everyone smiled and was happy, but Ino remained torn with a depressing thought.
'He won't be here for the birth. For the birth of our first child.'
She had Chouji, Sakura and all of her friends, but the feeling wouldn't pass. It was only with everyones' reassurance that she was able to remain optimistic about her situation.
Weeks and monthspassed and soon, she neared her due date. Chouji and Sakura visited constantly, checking up on their friend, in case anything should go wrong.
Until, at long last, the fateful day arrived…
Sakura and Chouji happened to be making a joint visit, Sakura bringing with her a bottle of medicine to help with her anticipated delivery.
They entered to find Ino sitting in a pool of water, holding her large stomach painfully.
Ino was rushed to the hospital and after a four hour labor, she was nearing her breaking point.
Chouji squeezed her hand yet again as she began to push again.
"I see the head, Push Ino!"
A scream resounded from the pain-filled mother, followed by the soft cry of an infant.
"Ino, it's a boy!"
Ino collapsed onto the bed, panting. Sakura cleaned the newborn and handed him to his mother, who watched her beautiful boy drift off to sleep in her arms. She smiled and looked out of the nearby window at the early morning light.
'Shikamaru...'
Miles away, a certain pineapple shaped head sprang out of his deep sleep. Naruto, who was on the current watch, turned to face his startled looking friend. "What's wrong? Bad dream?"
Shikamaru panted, trying to regain his breath.
'It felt like Ino called me'
He gazed up at the dimly lit sky, thinking of his wife and wondering what she could be doing right at that moment, drifting back into his exhausted sleep.
(Oh boy, little does HE know!)
"What's his name, Ino?" Shikato asked.
"Nara Shikaji, from his father and godfathers' names, ne, Chouji?" Chouji beamed at her reply.
Ino smiled, watching her father-in law cradle the newborn. She was surrounded by her and Shikamaru's parents, Sakura, Chouji, Hinata, Tenten, and all her other friends, who had all come to admire her son.
"A nice strong name for the lad." Inoshi proclaimed, taking his grandchild from Shikato and lifting him high. "I bet you're going to be another smart one! You better be strong too, like your grandpa!"
"Well, Yamanaka, he is my boy's son after all, between his mother and father, he'll have a lot to live up to."
Ino smiled, thinking about Shikatos' words.
I had now been 14 months since Shikamaru's departure, Shikaji was 6 months old now. The infant definitely proved he was Shikamaru's child, he hardly cried, or moved for that matter. (The doctors checked, he's just lazy)
Chouji came by every week to take his godson on a short walk around the village, to gave him a little extra splash of fresh air.
Ino was given a reprieve from missions until her husband's return, she received Shikamaru's paychecks every month to pay the bills.
One not so very special day, Chouji came by to pick up Shikaji for their walk. After waving them goodbye, Ino started her 'the baby's gone, clean the house and then relax' time.
Ino had moved from cleaning the kitchen and was about to start on the living room when she heard her front door creek. Surprised at their quickness, she rushed to the door to greet her friend and son.
"Chouji? That was a quick one? Did you not get very far-"
But the person standing in the doorway was not Chouji and Shikaji, Ino dropped the towel in her hands and brought her hands to her lips as her eyes filled with tears.
A slightly dirty man with dark hair in a longer, messy ponytail entered the room and enveloped her in a tight embrace. He smelled of sweat and blood, and had a few visible cuts and scrapes on his tired body. Her tears began to stream down her face as she hugged him back.
"S-Shikamaru?"
"I'm home….Ino."
Awww!
So cute! The next chapter MIGHT be the last one. Wasn't that cute guys! If anybody has any DEFINATE requests as to the condition of Sasuke, please let me know, did they kind him, refuse to come, dead, what? (Not that it has much to do with the story…) Just thought I'd give all of you a chance to interact with me here!
Sasuke- Now I feel Important….not.
Lynlyn- Shuddup, this isn't your fic, maybe you'll get one soon.
Shikamaru- Man, I must look like crap right here…
Review, I won't update until I have…at least…um…17? Yeah, that's a good number