It had been almost half a year since Temari left for Suna, four months since Shika-nii san left as well. Three months since her mother received a letter from Suna. It wasn't long before her mother informed her that Temari's and Shikamaru's baby was born. A little baby boy, named Shikadai.
That was three months ago, now word had reached Konoha that the Nara heir would be headed home. Mirai listened into every conversation regarding the Nara baby. She wanted to know everything about him. Mirai spent months reading up on how to take care with a baby, not wanting to hurt her new sibling. Now she waited impatiently for Shikamaru and Temari to return from Suna.
Then the day finally came.
"Mirai! Are you ready yet?"
Mirai perked up at her mother's voice. Was it time already? She patted down her dress and looked herself hard in the mirror. Adjusting her red ribbon she nodded to herself.
"I'm ready Mama!" Mirai ran downstairs to where her mother was waiting. Kurenai smiled at her daughter. The girl had dressed herself in her best dress and matching red ribbon.
'How cute.' Kurenai thought to herself. "Come on Mirai, I'm sure they're waiting for us."
Mirai took her mother's hand and they headed out the door.
Mirai's red eyes scanned the lush Nara compound. It had been a long time since she's been here. The forest seemed vibrant, deer gathered close to the Nara household. Even they knew something special was there.
"Mama, look at all the deer, do they know the baby is here?"
Kurenai smiled at her daughter, "Of course they do, Shikamaru is the clan head after all."
Various Nara clan members gave Kurenai and Mirai a polite bows as they went about their day. All of them spoke of the same thing.
"Such a well-behaved baby.."
"... did you see those eyes? His mother must be so proud."
"Precious little thing, betcha he'll be a strong one, just like his parents. Smart too."
Mirai became even more excited as they neared Shikamaru's and Temari's home. She couldn't wait any longer. Letting go of her mother's hand and ran towards the door.
She knocked on the door while her mother caught up to her.
The door creaked open.
"Hello?"
"Shika-nii!"
Shikamaru looked down at the girl on the other side of the door. He reached down and scooped into a hug the second he saw her.
"Did ya miss me Shika-nii?"
"Miss you? Of course I did? Look at you, you've gotten so big." He let go of Mirai. "Where's your mom"
"Right here, out of breath" Kurenai finally made to the doorway. "It's nice to see you again Shikamaru, how's Temari and the baby?"
"Temari is-"
"SHIKA WHO'S AT THE DOOR."
Kurenai and Mirai giggled as Temari's voice was heard from the other side of the house. Shikamaru sighed, hoping his wife didn't accidentally wake the baby.
"Troublesome woman," he grumbled, "Come see for yourself!"
Soon enough Temari made her way to the front entry way.
"Shikamaru why cant you just tell me who-s MIRAI!" Temari immediately bent over and scoped the raven-haired child in her arms. "Oh I've missed you so much!"
"Tema-nee! Too tight."
Temari smiled sheepishly as she loosed her hold on Mirai. "Oops sorry."
Shikamaru and Kurenai laughed.
"Kurenai-san, it's so nice to see you again."
Kurenai smiled at Temari. "Likewise Temari, I'm glad to see you back."
"Oh Shika! Where are your manners! Go invite them in." Temari exclaimed.
Shikamaru pouted ever so slightly, "You're right here too woman, just invite them in yourself."
"What was that?"
Shikamaru gulped nervously.
Kurenai sighed as she felt the tension growing between the couple. "Actually, I have to go the academy. I promised Shino that I would teach a genjutsu class today. Would it be alright if Mirai stays here a little while?"
Temari pushed Shikamaru out of the way, "Of course she can stay here, we don't mind. Right Shika?"
Shikamaru stared at his wife then at Mirai. "I can't say no to that face."
Mirai beamed.
"Well, I have to head out, remember to be good Mirai. I'll back soon. But once I'm back I want to know all about the little one."
Shikamaru nodded, "Yes ma'am."
Mirai giggled as Temari gushed over the girl's cute outfit. "Look at how precious you are! I haven't seen you in forever. Come inside, I got you and your mother a couple of gifts."
Shikamaru coughed as he closed the door behind him. "You? Got them gifts?"
Temari huffed, "Fine you big crybaby, we got them gifts."
"Tema-nee, how was Suna?" Mirai asked with excitement in her voice.
Shikamaru spoke up instead. "You sure to hear about that? Wouldn't you rather catch up with your nii-san instead." He said hopefully.
"Sorry Shika-nii, I'm not here to see you, I wanna see the baby." She said with a cheeky smile.
Temari burst out laughing as her husband practically deflated in front of them. She placed a very non-unsympathetic hand on his slumped shoulders.
"B-but I'm her nii-san." He mumbled to himself.
"Man up crybaby," Shikamaru slumped further at his wife's words. "Mirai, wait here. I'll get Shikadai, it's almost tummy time anyways."
Temari left the room and headed towards the nursery. She could hear cooing from down the hall. Shikadai's room was brightly lit by the glimmering sunlight.
"Where's my little fawn~"
Immediately Shikadai was drawn to his mother's voice. Temari leaned over the crib. Teal met teal. Laying in his back was three month Shikadai Nara, happily chewing on the ear of a stuffed Shikaku. Shikadai cooed his chubby arms waved in the air, begging to picked up.
"Come here little fawn, there's someone very special who's waiting to meet you." Temari said as picked up the babbling baby.
Mirai waited patiently, she was nervous yet excited. Shikamaru watched as her eyes filled with child-like wonder. She fidgeted around with her dress. He couldn't help but to smile, especially after hearing word that Mirai had been developing a tomboyish streak.
'Meeting Shikadai must be really be important to her if she bothered to wear a dress.' He mused to himself. She had grown in the time he was away.
'They grow too fast,' he decided realizing soon his own son would be her height, and Mirai would be even bigger by then. 'How bothersome, why can't they stay cute kids forever.'
"Psst"
Shikamaru was snapped out of his thoughts. "Psst Shika-nii, can I ask you something?
Mirai was looking at him with wide crimson eyes. He melted.
"Of course Mirai-chan."
"Do you think he'll like me?"
Shikamaru paused. Like her? Shikadai's a baby? Wait does she mean...
"What you mean Mirai-chan."
Mirai looked towards the stares and back at Shikamaru. "Do think he'll let me hold him? I don't want to make him upset and have him cry! I tried to hold Hinata-san's baby but he doesn't let anyone hold him. Every time someone tries to hold Bolt he cries! Not even Naruto can hold him, only Hinata-san." Mirai was pouting.
'Poor girl, Boruto must be a real mama's boy of he doesn't held anyone hold him. No wonder she's traumatized.' He chuckled a bit to himself.
"So the Uzumaki's kid is a mama's boy already, I'm sure Gaara would love to hear that."
Mirai and Shikamaru turned their heads towards the bottom of the stairs where Temari was. In her arms a bundle of forest green blankets. As she walked towards them Shikamaru could have sworn he saw stars in Mirai's eyes.
"Tema-nee, is that?"
Temari smiled proudly as she sat next to Shikamaru, leaving enough room between them for Mirai. Adjusting the bundle in arms she patted the couch. Mirai giggled as she climbed the couch. She leaned towards Temari, anxious to see what was inside in blanket.
"Shikadai, come say hello to Mirai-chan." Temari cooed as she opened up the blankets. Mirai gasped, never has she seen a cuter baby. Chubby rose cheeks, soft black hair, and the most beautiful eyes she's seen on a baby boy.
Shikamaru reached over and held Shikadai's hand. "Hello Mirai-chan." He said in a high pitched over as he waved Shikadai's hand.
Shikadai stared back at her. Who has this person? This wasn't his mom or dad, nor were they his usual caretaker? The person smiled nervously at him. If his parents trust them, why shouldn't he? Shikadai let out a happy gurgle.
"Look look Shika-nii, he's smiling. Oh he's so cute!" Mirai exclaimed. "Hi Shikadai, I'm Mirai."
Shikamaru let to go his son's hand, Shikadai waved his chubby hand around. He waved his hand around until he got a hold on one of Mirai's fingersn
"Aww look! He grabbed my finger!" Both Temari and Shikamaru laughed at the girl's wonder. Her laughter was infectious
"Mirai, would you like to hold him?" Temari asked softly.
Mirai's eyes went wide, "Can I, Tema-nee?" Temari nodded at the child, even she found herself giggling.
"Shika, can you help Mirai."
"Of course, now Mirai do as I do."
Shikamaru shifted his arms as Temari placed Shikadai in Mirai's arms. "Now remember, you always want to support the head."
She giggled, instantly she remembered during the months they were gone. The days she spent days practicing how to hold a baby with her old dolls.
Mirai looked down at the three-month old in her arms. He was so small and fragile, it's hard to think she was just like him once. The way he looked at her, with those big teal eyes, so full on wonder. She loved him, in that instant she knew she loved him. The second he giggled while reaching out she knew he was going to be one of her precious people.
She began to whisper to the baby, "Shikadai, it's me, Mirai. You're so tiny but that's okay. I'm going to help Shika and Temari-nee take of you. I'll be your big sister."
Shikadai yawned in response, his long dark eyelashes fluttered as he began to close his eyes.
Shikamaru chuckled. "He really must like you, Shikadai doesn't fall asleep on just anyone."
Mirai turned towards Shikamaru. "Really?"
Temari nodded in agreement. "He maybe an easy baby, but he's very picky about where he sleeps."
Mirai felt herself fill with happiness. Shikadai had already begin to doze off in her arms.
'I'll protect you, you won't be alone while I'm here. You'll have someone to look after you and play with you. I love you, otouto"
Have I mentioned how much I love the Nara family. Just one more chapter left guys. Keep an eye out for that one. In the mean time, any thoughts? Opinions? Feel free to comment.
