IT'S WORTH THE TROUBLES

By ardenilia

Disclaimer: Masashi Kishimoto-sensei owns Uzumaki Naruto & Company.

Author's Note: I'm so guilty……work held me back from writing for you guys. Ever since I started working, I really don't find as much free time that I used to have before I graduated just to write. As funny as it may seem to be, I thought that I was losing my muse or my 'mojo' and that's what had caused the sudden hiatus. Seriously, back at that time I thought that I've lost my spark and inspiration to write. (ardenilia dodges flying vegetables and sardine cans from the readers) and I totally needed somebody to slap me back into the writers seat.

Therefore I wanna deeply thank LaZyEnErGeTiC (thanks for the ideas, dear!), wowowee33, Gaa Saku, Rama chan, TaurenLeaf, MV, MetalDragonFX, Sabaku-No-Ardent, n, andi, Kazama Hasaki, nara Shikaku, Fuebi aka hobo number 5 (easy there with the doll. Poor Kagome…heheh), Logophobia (I'm truly honored with your words), breanna, Fumiye, suna-girl, OtakuStone, Itachisan77 (thank you for your thoughtfulness), Wind Scythe, crazzyakima, sexyinumama, GourdBreaker (you've made me feel special and happy….hmm, I never expect that someone would admire Haruka's character) and Cloud-watcher22 (oh goodness –blushes- I hope I didn't let you down with this chapter!) for your patience and never-ending support and reviews for the previous chapter. Thank you so much. The experience is priceless to me. And it goes the same to my other readers and my very special people such as Cy (I know I've mentioned you before but hey, I still want to!), Cazamanga and Jewel Green.

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Part 8 : Between The Distance

Konoha…

It was just past eight in the morning when Yoshino decided to initiate her laid-out plans of the day. One of the few things she happened to fix inside her mental planner would be making breakfast, seeing Shikaku off to work, fixed the kitchen cabinet, bathe the kids and do the laundry. And after the first three were (almost) done, (that's because she had realized that a ninja can't do everything, and that includes hardware. Instead of fixing, she broke the cabinet door in half) she ushered both Hikaru and Kusanagi to the shower while she managed the laundry at the same time.

It's been two days since that night and Yoshino had hoped that the children would forget about it. But it seems that it got worst when her son came over for dinner the next day. Hikaru refused to have dessert, which Yoshino was very sure her granddaughter loves her home-made peach and cream pudding while Kusanagi preferred to sit on Shikaku's lap than his father's, much to Shikamaru's dismay. But he was too laid-back to show that it bothered him just a little bit.

"I never knew how much I've missed your cooking, mom." Shikamaru leant against the chair after taking in the last bite of his sashimi.

"Is that a compliment, Shikamaru? I'm surprised."

"Aww, mom. Seriously, I do."

Yoshino stood up to fetch the dessert and after seeing his wife went out of their sight, Shikaku cleared his throat and started to speak in a whispered voice, "How's everything, Son?"

"Dad, why are you whispering? Mom's not around."

The older man's eyes squinted in frustration. He thought that his son understood what he was trying to ask.

"Everything's fine, dad. Why?"

"Everything?"

"Yeah, everything."

"You know, if you have any problems you can tell me."

"What makes you think I have a problem?"

Shikamaru received a threatening glare in return. "Okay, I will when I do have one. Don't get mad at me. Is it me or is there something bothering everyone here?"

But before his father could reply, his mother appeared again into the dining room with the usual (but nevertheless scary) smile on her face. "I hoped that you could stay the night. Your kids have been missing you so much."

"Uhm…sorry, mom. I can't. I've promised to get back at the office as soon as possible. You know, Rokudaime couldn't stay longer since Hinata-sama is due in a few weeks time. That's why I've decided to help cover some of his works. Hikaru-chan, Kusanagi-chan, I am so sorry but I promise I'll make it up to you later."

Hikaru remained stoic while her little brother sulked in reply to their father's explanation. The little blonde girl fidgeted with the desert spoon she's holding and it never reached her mouth at all. Not even once. Then suddenly, with a disappointed look, Hikaru cried with all her heart, "We want mommy, we don't need you like you don't need her!"

The adults were stunned by the action of the five year old girl.

Shikamaru stood up immediately, but before he could utter any word in defend, his daughter ran away towards the stairs and seconds later the inimitable sound of a slamming door ensued.

The surprised expression on his face changed into his usual frown just as quick as a lightning. There's definitely something wrong with everyone. "Thanks for the dinner, mom. I really had to go." With a sigh, he walked towards his son, planted a kiss on top of his small head and left the place, letting his parents further speculating the worst.

"Dear…"

"I know Yoshino, I know."

Hikaru poke at her legs gently. "Grandma!"

"Yes, Hikaru-chan…"

"What are we going to do today, Grandma?"

"Today, we're going to your house and I'm going to help clean and tidy up the house when your mommy isn't around."

The little girl jumped in excitement. "We're going back? Yay! I want to get Tsuki's friend and get Yuki here and..." Hikaru went on and on, with Yoshino's smile fixed at her only granddaughter. 'She must've been talking about her stuffed animals.'

Afterwards, the three of them walked together towards the young Nara family residence. A sight of a well-kept place greeted their arrival and the moment they step inside the house, Yoshino admired her daughter-in-law's taste and skills in interior designing silently. The house adopted the conservative yet mesmerizing Moroccan theme from the teak wood furniture to the artistic and abstract carpet designs and accessories. The color combination was of the Sand's originality; an earth-color base nuanced within the desert undertones. A perfect blend of homely ambience just for anyone, even if they were not from the village hidden within the golden sands.

The children ran to their rooms leaving Yoshino to manage the kitchen and the laundry first. Soon, after most of the tasks were done, there was one last place left for her to tidy up was the master bedroom. The room was not a place that Yoshino would consider to venture into since Shikamaru and Temari were a married couple after all, and married couples appreciate their precious privacy, even from their own parents.

The elder woman shook her head gently. She was fully aware of her son's attitude and perspective towards cleaning (or everything else for that matter) plus, without Temari around to keep the place in check, only Kami knows what happened to their bedroom let alone their house from the time when she left.

In the midst of dusting, she happened to be distracted by the wedding picture of her only son. Yes, she truly believed (although reluctantly at first) that her son and the Suna kunoichi were a match made in heaven. Their wedding portrait would be enough proof that this was more than right. Both were wearing a pair of traditional wedding yukata with Shikamaru hugging Temari from behind, being so much in love and bliss. Her son looked different, albeit handsome when he tied his hair down for the first time.

A white envelope that was placed neatly at the foot of the frame caught her sight. From the looks of it, the content had remained untouched. It was obvious that Shikamaru didn't realize or if he did, he didn't bother to open it at all.

"To my beloved,

From the moment I decided to be with you, I knew it was the right decision. I don't care what other people say or think because that's why we're together after all. We don't need the others to pass judgment on us. All we ever needed was each other. I don't know how you have come to think that our marriage is something that is needed to be reevaluated after all that we've been through. I've always thought that I could be the first you would unburden your heart to, but I guess... I will always be the last person you seek. This fact however painful it may be, I admit I have to accept. I can never take her place in your heart.

Shikamaru, there's something that I wanted you to know before I left, but in this condition, I don't think it's appropriate to be mentioned of through writing. But all I can say, our life is really going to change and it's up to you whether to accept it or not. This is not just about your own future, but mine as well.

You and the children are the greatest things that have ever happened in my life and I refuse to let them go away. I hope we'll overcome this problem when I'll get back...

And please, tell the children I love them so much.

Loving you forever,

Temari"

Yoshino's hand trembled nonetheless after reaching the last word in the letter that happened to be her daughter-in-law's name.

It was so obvious that their marriage was on the rocks and Yoshino's mind couldn't help but to deduct one of the main causes on the first impulse.

There's a third person between them.

Whoever that person was, she's really asking for trouble.

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Suna…

After several knocks, the door opened and somebody walked into the huge office room of the Kazekage. Without turning his back from the glass window he was facing, he spoke in a stern and stiffly note, "What do you want? I've said that I don't want to be disturbed."

Before the person could answer, sand had starter to swirl around the young Kage before rising in a very dangerous height, meant to warn the 'visitor'. If they value their life, they should've never come near his office from the first place.

"Relax, Gaara. It's just me," an all familiar and comforting voice spoke up from behind.

Gaara turned his head around. The strains of his muscles seemed to loose a little bit after recognizing the person's identity. "Temari?"

The wife of Konoha's acclaimed genius approached her younger brother and sat on the front end of his table. In her hands was a thin file with several papers inside it. "Yeah. You're so tense. Wanna talk about it?"

The red-haired shinobi remained speechless. "…"

"Okay, then. Actually, I've come here to submit the official report of investigation by Lee-san and his team."

"Just put it on the table. I'll see to it later."

"Alright. You know Gaara…you can find me if you need talk about some things that you can't talk about to someone else."

When she turned around to make her leave, Gaara's words stopped her in her tracks, "I need your help, Temari."

Her mouth curved into a warm, gentle smile when she faced her brother. "You know I won't let you down, little brother." Years had passed by but still Gaara believed that Temari can always be the person he trusts with everything. At least he knew he didn't have to hide his true emotions whenever his only sister is around.

It had already been two hours and she had been listening attentively to Gaara's worries and insecurities. At least, there's someone who confided in her unlike a certain man that she knew.

"Gaara, are you afraid to get married?"

"No."

"I know it can be quite unsettling if you're not marrying for love."

"Love?" The word was repeated slowly through his pale, thin lips. No…he no longer was the young boy who loves no one but himself. He was blessed with a loving family even though it took him more than a decade of traumatic childhood experience to be granted with the perfect family he had yearned for since he was born. And he had the village. He loves the village more so than before. What he wouldn't give for the price of peace? Even if it meant being tied to someone he hardly knew for the rest of his life.

But, after what Haruka-san recommended to him yesterday…he rubbed the sides of his head gently. Making either one decision would eventually place Sunagakure's safety at risk. But all he could confirmed was his decision would be for the benefit of the village.

After a knock once, the door was opened by their other sibling, with the usual goofy look on his face. Temari sighed. Oh great, the comic relief came just when they were getting serious here. As if sensing the indistinctly edgy atmosphere inside the office, Kankurou blatantly inquired as he strode across the room acting like he didn't care at all. "What's with the face, Temari?"

Gaara stayed calm while Temari jeered in reply, "You always like to barge in at the wrong time."

"What? Am I not related to you guys?" He promptly found a spot on a long, maroon-colored couch nearby the Kazekage's desk.

"Well, you are…if you could only stop being the joker in the family for once."

"Hey, I can be serious if I want to alright?"

"Yeah, right. By the way, what are you doing here, Kankurou?"

"Aah…I thought you'd never ask. Gaara, someone's here to see you."

"Hnn…I'm in the middle of a discussion right now. That person can wait." His half-lidded eyes looked away to a random direction, silently hoping that his older brother would get the hint that he was already tired of handling major issues and did not need to entertain another subject of that matter.

Stifling a laugh, Kankurou raise an eyebrow slyly. "I don't think you want to make this person wait. Aina-san, would you come in?"

The name triggered a part of Temari's memory. 'Isn't she Gaara's…?'

"I'm sorry if this is not a good time, Gaara-sama," a soft and polite voice came from behind the door, followed by a timid figure dressed in a traditional pink floral kimono. The young girl's fair and vibrant face showed hints that she might be years younger than the three siblings. Her long, shiny black hair was tied into a low ponytail with the ends cascading down her left shoulder. At first sight, Temari somehow could see the similarities between the young girl and her friend, Hinata. But what differentiate her was that she could clearly see the strength and resilience within the young girl's violet-colored eyes.

"…" Being Gaara, if he was surprised…well, he didn't look like it. But instead, his eyes lingered around the young heiress from Iwa, absorbing in every detail of his future bride's face. Just mentioning the word 'bride' had actually been enough to send a creeping blush onto his face. Gaara quickly hide his embarrassment from being known by facing the window of his office…yet again.

"I needed to see you. Anou…" The younger girl had noticed a person that she had never met before, who happened to be Gaara-sama's one and only older sister. She turned into Temari's direction and slowly bowed down in respect. "I'm sorry. How rude of me for interrupting without an appropriate introduction. I am Kurosawa Aina from Iwagakure No Sato."

"Eh, you don't have to be so formal Aina-san. I'm Temari and as you can see, I happened to be related to these two….heh."

"Oi! Don't even start, Temari!" Kankurou crossed his arms and pretended to look furious.

"Hah, I bet Aina-san would've loved to hear about that one time when you tried to…"

"Hey!"

"Don't mind him, Aina-san."

"Oh no. It's no trouble at all. It's really an honor to be able to meet Temari-san at last. I've heard a lot about you from Kankurou-san and Gaara-sama. I admire your skills as a kunoichi and I'm proud to be your acquaintance."

Temari smiled to herself. These are what you could expect from a nobility; well-conduct and filled with poise. "It's a pleasure to meet you too. Hmm…although I think it would be better if you could call me onee-san. After all, we're gonna be a family very soon, right?" She winked at the younger girl, causing her to go red in the face and Gaara's face to turn a shade deeper, fortunately unnoticeable to the others.

Kankurou cleared his throat and pulled at his sister's arm while saying, "I just remember that I need to talk about something with Temari. We'll catch ya later, bro."

Temari's initial reaction was to smack his brother on the head for the sudden action but after realizing his true and maybe good intentions, she leisurely pushed both of them towards the door and posted a quick glance to their youngest brother who was still standing like a statuette. "Be good, Gaara…heheh."

The door was closed by a pack of sand that instant and all that was heard was the laughter between Kankurou and Temari. "I never knew you could be that evil, Temari. Thank God he doesn't have a tendency to kill us that easily anymore."

She held down a cough while trying to speak between the snorts and laughter. "I don't know…but I swear, I never ever saw Gaara blush before. Ooh…that's totally priceless."

Temari truly believed that she didn't mean to tease her youngest brother who also happened to be the leader of the village.

But still…this might be the one and only time she would be able to joke around with her brothers, especially Gaara. That's because Kankurou had already found a woman that he put above him. And soon, she will have to let Gaara go as well and Temari hoped that his future wife would be able to fulfill his every desire and give him the completion of the universal knowledge clarifying why men and women were created for each other. She didn't deserve the right to be their only female figure anymore; the one who they would look upon in everything.

Why did she felt a very heavy burden had just been dropped on her chest instead of being lifted that instant?

Wait. What was she talking about just now?

Oh damn. That was so sappy.

Bloody hormones.

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He walked through the deserted streets of the village, pacing on a very steady speed. Not too slow or fast either. He stuffed his hands into the pockets of his dark navy slacks, trying to act natural as if it was just any normal day. It's not like he had something that needed to be done urgently…or someone to come home to that night. Even at the office today before the clock struck five, Kiba had already disappeared and rushed towards the hospital to fetch his pink-haired doctor-wife. While Chouji stayed a little bit longer just to give him company but he insisted that his best-friend should make his way home too for he knew that his former team-mate just couldn't wait to go back to his family and to a nice home-cooked meal prepared by his lovely wife, Mirae.

After the others had left, the only person that chose to stay was Neji. Somehow, he felt that they were actually in the same boat. Probably because they were two 'off-duty' husbands and their wives happened to go on the same mission at a place which was three days away.

The former branch member of the Hyuuga family looked up from the paper once in a while and every time he did so, another line would appear on his colleague's forehead. He had been having some thoughts these past few days and it does one way or another concerned the Nara heir. He had been having questions out of curiosity but he knew better than to snoop into other people's private matters. But if he could've done something to help, it might actually be worth it. They're best friends and don't best friends help each other when they're in trouble? Clearing his throat, he said, "You know, Tenten and Temari are going to be back by the end of this week."

Shikamaru stood silent as if Neji's words had never reached his hearing range at all. His right hand moved steadily in a rhythm against the file he's looking at the moment. His pen scratched heavily on the paper, and the sound grew louder and louder.

But Neji was someone who won't give up just as easily. "I'm not trying to be a nosey-parker but I can't just pretend that there's nothing wrong with you guys when it's so obvious that there is."

The shadow controller's action halted that instant. He let go of the stationery he was holding and pinched the bridge of his nose before letting out a weighty sigh. "Thank you for your concern, Neji but I just felt comfortable not thinking about what is happening in my life right now because I don't even know where on earth did I went wrong. There's something not right with my wife and suddenly my own kids 'hate' me. "

The coffee-haired Jounin rested his back against the leather office chair. "When was the last time you tucked your kids into bed or read them a story before they go to sleep? Or when was the last time you ever looked at your wife straight in the eyes and tell her how much you love her? Don't get me wrong, Shikamaru. I'm not trying to judge you or telling you how to manage your family, hnn…I'm not a perfect father and husband myself but I never stop trying to being one and I never will be."

Now that those words had came out from Neji's lips, Shikamaru slowly realized some of his possible errors that he unintentionally done in the past few days ever since he returned from his last mission. And he and Temari didn't even sleep in the same room from the time when she threw him out of their bed that night after he got back from the bar. But he deserved the right to be upset after she nagged at him before…right?

Or not.

Gah, troublesome.

Just when he's not thinking about it and he did actually found a way to concentrate on the paper works especially when it demanded his attentions the most.

'Much more important than compared to his family?'

Neji moved at his seat slowly after closing the last file in hands and dropped it into the 'OUT' box on his table. "I'm going home."

" Matte, Neji."

"?"

"If you were me, what would you do?"

"I can't just tell you what I think because our situations are different. All I could say is that you should have hopes for your future together. You guys had come along way to get where you are right now. Have you forgotten that your wife is still a Sunagakure villager in heart? She left everything she has in Suna, her brothers, her birthplace so she could be with you in Konoha. She got no one else who she could truly rely upon here except you. Think about it."

"Mummy, mummy. It's Uncle Shikamaru!"

A small, chirpy voice snatched his attention away from his musings. When he lifted his face up, he couldn't stop from letting a smile graced his lips. Three familiar faces greeted his view. "Hey, girls."

"What's with the face, Shikamaru?" The blonde-haired woman asked in a really friendly way.

He shrugged nonchalantly but still retaining his smile. "Nothing. Where were you girls from?"

"I went to pick up a few things at the store. I know it's already late but I got carried away with the chores and the kids."

"I never expect you to be forgetful, Ino."

His statement was greeted with an amused laughter by his former teammate. "And you're not a person who'd like to bother commenting on other people."

"Heh, I'll walk you girls home, okay?"

"Would you stay for dinner with us?"

"Ino, I've been troubling you for the last three days. I can certainly fix my own dinner."

"You looked like hell and there's no way I'm going to walk away without doing anything to help you."

"Looks like I found it pointless to argue with you. Kami knows I already had enough predicaments with females in my life."

"Stop acting like an old man, Shikamaru. You're being such a drama king." Ino nudged him gently on the shoulders, causing the latter to glare back at the former.

"Uncle Shikamaru, can you carry me?," Haruhi, one of Ino's twin daughters tugged at Shikamaru's legs only to be retorted by her sister, Hani. Ignoring their mother's warning, both of them continued to whine and giggle playfully around him. Giving in, he held out his hands and both of the twins jumped excitedly into his sturdy arms. It seemed like Shikamaru certainly had a way with females vying for his attention.

Damn. He missed holding Hikaru like this. Apparently his only daughter was trying to avoid him. And she's only five! He totally didn't want to know what would happen in the next ten years when she will be going through that "phase".

On the other hand, Ino had never knew the real reason of why Shikamaru wasn't that enthusiastic to drop by at his parents' house ever since Temari-san left and knowing him, it'll be too troublesome to talk about. Besides, he had been helping her since Shino went away on a mission; at least this was something that she could do for her best friend.

And never too, did she know that her benign intentions would be misunderstood by another.

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The solitary moon adorned the velvet skies, witnessing another lone figure kneeling down in front of a miniature marble shrine which from the looks of it had actually been built by the hands of a small child. The figure, who was covered in a dark robe placed a humble portion of offering on the cold, stony surface. The person glanced around from her right to her left and satisfied upon knowing that she was all alone on top of the grassy hill, she pulled down the hood and her face was revealed in front of the make-shift headstone. In the dimly-lit environment, the outline of the four quadruple ties was hard to be mistaken for someone else other than the eldest of the once fearsome trio from the hidden village of the sand.

"Forgive me, momma. I was a little late tonight. That's because I had to help Gaara at the office today." A beam appeared on her heart-shaped face. "He's an excellent and responsible leader. There's no other person suited to carry the Kazekage title besides him. I believed that if you're still here, you would've been proud of him. You know, your youngest son is all grown up and he'll be married soon. But…" A hand swept away a few dried leaves and they fell to the ground with small crackles, before following a trail of warm, arid gust. "…he's afraid. I know he's troubled momma. If only he would give himself a chance to let his heart decides, even for once."

She would usually pay a visit to her mother's shrine every time she returns to her village and in every opportunity she had. Until now, only Kankurou remains the only person who knew of this. No one else was aware of her covert trips. No. Not even her own husband. It was because she believed that Shikamaru might not understand the significance of her mother's existence in her life. She didn't want him to compare between Karura and Yoshino. That would be unfair to both of them.

And for all these times, she thought that Shikamaru couldn't trust her enough to confide in her about everything while she had been doing the same thing to him.

Now, who is the real charlatan in this situation?

"It just seems that he will finally have someone he could share his life with and maybe, I'm quite saddened with the fact that he won't need me any longer. Not that much. Kankurou and Gaara will always be my baby brothers and I don't want not to be needed by them as I'm beginning to feel with my husband."

Her hands instinctively went to clutch at her stomach while taking in a deep breath. "I really don't know what I should do. These babies…they were unplanned but I want them nevertheless. I want Shikamaru to accept and love them like I do but what if he…I don't want to lose either one but I'm so scared to even think about the possibilities." Rubbing her belly gently, she clasped her hands together to make a silent prayer for her late mother's safety and guidance.

'Please help me protect our family.'

A faint rustle of dried leaves among the trees alarmed her senses. Turning her head around, a tall and dark figure stood against a big birch tree, casually crossing his arms while fixing his gaze sharply at her. "It's surely a beautiful night for a walk or…maybe a secret 'meeting' perhaps?"

"Who the hell are you?" Her turquoise eyes glared back at the unidentified figure. Who does this bastard thinks he is?

"Aah…you still had that fiery temper of yours, Princess." The uninvited guest took a step forward and under the moonlight, his platinum-colored hair and sharp saintly features came in view.

Shit. 'Don't tell me that he's…' It appears that, the face belonged to someone whom she wished she had never met in her whole entire life.

The devil has return.

"What are you doing here, Mitsurugi? I thought you would've rot in hell by now."

"Aah…your words are rather 'endearing'. God, I missed those times when we used to be togeth-" His words were caught dead when a kunai flew right beside his face, just missing a few inches and ended up hitting a random tree behind him.

His thin lips curved into a smirk.

She still hasn't changed one bit.

"I don't know how or why you're here but go away. Go away before I kill you and I swear you won't come back this time. And just to remind you, we've never even been together and it's only in your sick head."

"Relax, Temari-chan. It's not good to get all riled up. It's bad for your health and especially for the little ones that you're carrying right now."

He overheard her private 'conversation' before. "You…bastard."

Haruka took a few steps forward with his eyes still persistent in resting on the fuming effigy of the former Suna kunoichi. "Ever since we were young, I always believed that I was destined for great things. The village, the leadership…you. Everything here should've been mine. The land, the Kage title, the power, the wealth and the family that we would've had together. They were supposed to be mine, not to that good-for-nothing brother and also that husband of yours."

"Don't you dare talk about Gaara like that and don't ever talk ill about my husband when you don't even know who he is!"

"Oh, I know who he is alright. The infamous Nara Shikamaru from the well-known shadow controlling clan from Konoha. Who's too busy with his work that he didn't even notice that he's been neglecting his wife."

"How the hell did you know?!"

He clutched at his heart dramatically as if mocking her question. "I've been watching you for days, Temari-chan. Your mother wasn't the only one who had been listening to her daughter's grieves and heartbreaks in these past few days."

"Mind your own business, Mitsurugi."

"If you hadn't refused my proposal before, you wouldn't be feeling unhappy right now would you, princess?"

"Shut up. I rather die as an old spinster than spending the rest of my lifetime tied to a man like you. I know you're totally up to no good. I swear if you ever come near my family I'll make you regret it so much until you beg to the Lord that you would never be born in other lifetimes."

He chuckled deeply while shaking his head. "Don't be so confident with what you're saying now because towards the end, I'm pretty sure that you're the one who's gonna do the begging."

'This cocky son-of-a-'

Another smaller figure jumped so suddenly in front of Haruka, with a kunai clutched in his hand. "What do you want with Temari-san, you jerk?"

"Konohamaru?"

The young boy stood rigid in a crouching position, filling in the distance between the conniving viper and Temari. Earlier on he had noticed Temari's movements through the mansion's back entrance. At first he thought it was unnecessary for him to follow her but after he sensed another chakra pattern tailing his teammate with a threatening intent, he was relieved that he made the right decision; hiding in the shadows until her stalker made the first move.

The older man stared angrily at the teenager. "This is none of your concern, brat."

"I won't let any harm happened to my comrade and I'll do anything to protect them even if it meant that I have to kill someone like you."

"Huh…I'm not going to waste my time and effort on you, boy. And princess…" His wine-colored orbs gleamed aggressively as it clashed with her shining aqua eyes. "…you won't be seeing the last of me."

And his taunting stature waned away in a flash.

The young Konoha Chuunin turned his head towards the opposite direction and started to inquire, "Temari-sa-"

"-It's a long story. Don't ask, Konohamaru. Don't ask."

Konohamaru guaranteed at that instant, for the first time he could see agitation inside Temari's eyes right before it disappeared in a blink.

Temari-san wasn't someone who would be afraid of just about anyone but he was pretty sure that Temari's body trembled a little bit not long ago after that man left.

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He leant against the dining chair while crossing his arms within a steady breathing. His eyes had grown accustomed to seeing the floral prints all around the white coffee mug ever since it was placed on top of the table. He'd been staring at the porcelain in a very long period of time until he could actually count how many roses were there around it and just give him another few seconds, he could definitely guess the diameter of the mug.

"I gave you the coffee for drinking not to have a staring contest with it, Shikamaru," Ino's voice sounded from behind. She walked into the kitchen and reached for a yellow frilly apron hanged against the wall and put it on unhurriedly. While doing so, she spared him a glance from the corners of her crystal-blue eyes and asked, "Do you want me to heat the coffee up for you?"

"Nah, I'm great. Do you want some help with the dishes?" he asked back.

She tied her hair into a bun and started to turn on the faucet. "Don't worry. I got it since the girls are asleep. If not, you would really have to help me sing them a lullaby or read them a story or something like that."

"That is what you have to do every night?"

"Oh no. Not me. I can't sing. Oh god, I sounded horrible but Shino does, though."

"Oh wow. Shino-…sings?"

"Hey, my man has the most romantic voice in the world but don't tell him I told you this when he gets back."

"He does huh?"

"The girls always have their father tucked them into bed because Shino likes to tell them a story before they go to sleep. And then when Shino goes away on a mission, I have a really hard time to take over his role and in the same time trying to retain mine. It's not that easy, you know."

"It's not, huh?," Shikamaru drawled lazily but deep within his mind, he never knew that Ino had to go through a really tough time when Shino wasn't around.

'And now, do you still think that your wife doesn't deserve a break?' Trying hard to ignore the truth and to suppress the tell-tale signs of guilt, Shikamaru diverted his attention back to Ino, who were still talking unfortunately.

"Yes, seriously. But to tell you the truth, there were actually times when I felt like breaking down because I just can't do this parenting job alone when Shino's gone but I know I had to be strong because of our children and especially because of the love and faith that I have in the man that I married."

"I can never understand you women."

"Hey, we don't understand you men either, but we never grew tired of trying to do so. But I think I understand what Temari is feeling. I understand how tiring it could get to manage the house and the family all by yourself when your husband had to go to work and I know how nice it'll be to have a shoulder that you can lie on after one long, tiring day instead of an empty bed."

Shikamaru scoffed in response. "And tell me, what did you force your husband to do, Ino?"

"You made it sounded like Shino was a slave. C'mon Shikamaru, can you loosen your grip on your 'pillar of sexism' for once? I'm trying to help you here, jeez."

"Okay, okay. Sorry, " muttered Shikamaru while holding his hands up in front of him as a sign of mere defeat. (temporary that is)

"Well…," she continued. "I really missed the way he just sits there, holding me in his arms-"

"Oh man, I'm not listening to this. This is sooo wrong."

"Hey, I'm not gonna tell you about my sex life you idiot! What would I get if I ever give out the juicy details of our bedroom stories to a moron like you?"

"Your own sex manual? And instead of the 'birds and the bees', you could name it the 'flowers and the bugs' instead."

Ino knocked slowly on her forehead as if that act would help to soothe out her incoming migraine. "Gah…Get real, Shikamaru?"

"Okay, alright. Sorry. Back to what you were saying, Mrs. Aburame."

The blonde-haired kunoichi's gaze softened at that very moment despite trying to hold down the urge to smack her best friend's head for being so annoying. "Now, Shino just hold me and sometimes, we don't really need to talk simply because he might know that I'm too tired to even bother to converse. But when I do feel like talking, he would just… listen. You know even if he pretended that he was really into hearing what I was saying but having him there beside me is already enough. And he's full of surprises, believe it or not. He knows how much I love daisies that he makes sure that he would leave even a single flower to make up for the time when he had to leave early in the morning. And usually after he got back from his missions he would make sure that the kids are away at his parents' house so that we could have time just for the two of us. You know what kind of a person Shino is but still he doesn't need to be overly romantic to show that he cared once in a while."

He pointed a finger towards himself and said, "And we, men really had to do those things to prevent you…" the same finger pointed towards Ino's direction. "-women from lashing out at us for no reason? Aww c'mon, Ino. Do you think that men are willing to woo their wives on the bed without believing that it's definitely gonna end up with love-making?"

Ino dropped the dishes back into the sink and cried, "Okay. That's it! I'm feeling extremely sorry for Temari because she has an insensitive ass for a husband and I wonder how on earth did she ever manage to put up with you for how long…" She paused as her fingers were doing some calculating before her words spat back, "6 years?!"

"Seven," he corrected.

"At least you remembered how long you were married."

"Hey…what's that supposed to mean?"

"Shikamaru, I'm married too so I perfectly understand the emptiness or the feelings she's having. I think…all she ever wanted was just to be hold once in a while. She needs your time too. She can be the father and the mother to your kids when you're away but when you're back, can't you return her role as your wife? Women are strong and yet, fragile at times. Especially in front of the man she loves."

'Now, where have I heard it before?'

Ino blabbered on and on about a wife's need and desires and for that reason she was oblivious to the fact that Shikamaru was too deep in thoughts to listen to her exclusive lecture with him as her case study.

'When was the last time you ever looked at your wife straight in the eyes and tell her how much you love her?'

'You guys had come along way to get where you are right now.' Neji's words rang inside his head.

And then Ino's voice replayed once again. '…all she ever wanted was just to be hold once in a while.'

'She can be the father and the mother to your kids when you're away but when you're back, can't you return her role as your wife?'

"Hey Ino…"

"What?"

"I hate it when you really know what to say especially when I don't even know what to do myself."

Her eyebrows twitched within annoyance. "Excuse me, correct me if I'm wrong, but are you implying that I don't make sense a.k.a stupid most of the time?"

"Although it would've been in my favor to say 'yes' but if only to receive much more threatening terminologies and actually have to thank you for it, you know it'll be too troublesome." He ended his sentence with a smile on his face very much to Ino's infuriation.

"But still I wanna say thank you."

She was truly surprised but nevertheless couldn't help a laugh from breaking free out of her lips. "I hope you know what to do when Temari gets back, buddy. At least you owe me this much."

Even though he seemed not to be taking his former teammate seriously, he strictly understood in a sense, that his wife had done a lot for him but he was too dense to realize how much she might have gotten hurt along the way.

But now the problem was…

Where should he start?

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End Of Chapter 8

To Be Continued…

Next Chapter…

In Suna, complications were beginning to rise and the Kazekage had to make decisions that will test the love and strength of the women in his life; Aina's hidden feelings and Temari's strength as a wife and a mother.

While in Konoha, Shikamaru's righteous intention had been misunderstood by Yoshino to the point that an awful accusation was made.

Will both of them be able to clarify their notions when it seemed that the whole world was turning their backs on them?

A/N: I hope to see you guys again in the next chapter and I really wish I still have my 'mojo'! (T-T) But you know how you can help me; by beating me to death….

Kidding!

But I know one thing that I wanna say: Inspire me, everyone!