Chapter 10: A late birthday

It was official; Mami and Shikamaru had now been going out for exactly one month. In that one month Mami hadn't seen much of the Nara and wanted to spend more time with him, the rare occasion that both ninja were free one would be whisked away on a last minute mission; much to their annoyance, each time the couple made plans they would have to cancel as one of them would be summand to the Hokage. However it seemed that the Hokage was a women of her word, since the sand mission Lady Tsunade had been giving Mami small and simple missions, missions a genin would take but in return Shikamaru was getting more complicated ones; while Mami ran around the Leaf Village doing jobs from passing around messages to weeding someone's garden Shikamaru was running round the Land of Lightning fighting the latest group of free will radicals.

Today Mami and Naoki were making their way towards the house they spent most of their childhood in, to make up for the fact that Mami had missed her birthday the Inuzuka family got together to throw Mami a small surprise party, family only in other words. Mami wasn't to fussed about the party, she never really liked being the centre of attention but everyone had arranged the day off to spend it with her, so with a smile and a bounce in Mamis step the two made their way over to the house.

"Auntie Mami…" A small voice called as a blur of brown came running towards her "…happy late birthday"

"Chiharu" Mami greeted as her six year old niece came running out of the house and into her arms, with a tight hold Mami lifted the young girl off the floor and span both of them around, Chiharu squealed in delight as she spread her arms out like an aeroplane. Chiharu was a happy, loving and curios child, she grew up around animals so it was no surprise when Chiharu announced she wanted to be a vet just like her mother.

"Chiharu…" Hanas voice called as her bare feet padded along the side of the house "…where are you?"

"I'm here mummy…" Chiharu replied with a wave and a huge smile "…look I found Mami"

"That's my girl" Hana praised with a huge smile. Chiharu beamed with happiness as she bounced in Mamis arms, she wiggled around in her aunts' grip wanting to be put down so she could see her mother; Once Chiharu was gently placed on the ground she scrambled over to her loving mother, the two shared a quick kiss as they waited for Mami and Naoki to wonder over.

"Hey sis" Mami greeted with a wave as Naoki barked his greeting.

"Come on Mami, your late for your own party" Hana joked in a sharp tone as she watched her younger sister tug off her shinobi boots.

"No sis, everyone is early" Mami corrected as she surged her shoulders, her boots now laying in the hallway; Hana let out a small chuckle as she led to the two young females and a dog into the house, Naoki paused for a moment in the doorway to wipe his dusty paws on the doormat.

"Look at what Naoki did…" Chiharu called as she looked over Hanas shoulder "…Naoki is a good boy" With a turn of her head Hana saw Naoki wipe his large back paw one last time before running to catch the females up.

"What! That is unfair; I can't get Chiharu to wipe her feet let alone the Haimaru brothers"

"Naoki only does this though years of hard training…" Mami joked as she patted the large dogs head "…he also puts the toilet seat down when he's done" A rather unlady like snort issued from Hana as she gave Mami a playful slap on the arm.

"The day he does that I will eat dog food" Mami just laughed at her sister, Hana had a habit of saying things like that and it was always followed by a smirk, a smirk that make a challenge all the sweeter when Hana was called upon it; time for Naoki to undergo some more training.

"HAPPY LATE BIRTHDAY MAMI" The room chorused with joy as the twenty two year old followed Hana into the family room. The soft cream walls that were once covered in baby pictures were now covered in steams of blue banners, the words happy birthday covered the room in huge colourful letters, blue balloons spelled out her age as they bobbed with the gentle breeze from the open window. In the middle of the room was a huge dog shaped cake that was covered in blue icing and blue candles, a small stack of presents sat on the table by the cake begging to be opened. It looked as if a blue monster had exploded everywhere; or thrown up, blue banners, blue cake, blue wrapping paper, blue plates, blue everything.

All Mami could see was her family surrounded by an ocean of blue.

"Oh my god, I never knew. This is such a surprise" Mami gushed in mock surprise as she looked at everyone in the room, her mother Tsume was happily smiling at the back of the group with Kuromaru by her side; the two with the roughest exterior but the biggest hearts. Hana was fussing over a wiggling Chiharu as she was gently held by her father Iruka; the three Haimaru brothers barked their greeting as Akamaru and Naoki tackled them from the side. Kiba was happily sitting down with a giggling Hiroto in his arms; Ino was hovering near by with a bottle ready for his next feeding. All in all a happy room.

"Aunty Mami…" Chiharu called as she wiggled harder in her father's arms "…I want to help"

"Settle down Chiharu…" Iruka scolded as he gripped firmly onto his daughter "…if you wiggle to much you will fall" The warning fell on deaf ears, just like any typical Inuzuka Chiharu had a goal and no one was going to get in her way. Just like her father Chiharu had lightly tanned skin but Hanas eyes and hair, the soft brown locks were scrapped up into cute pigtails, framing the child face as Chiharus hair settled in front of her shoulders.

"We need to hang on a minute…" Mami clarified as her gentle gaze fell onto her hyperactive niece "…we need to wait for Hiroto to finish his feed, I will need all the help I can get to blow all the candles out"

"NO…" Chiharu screamed as she moved around more erratically "…I want to help open presents" Tsume watched over her children like a mother hen with a small smile of fondness on her lips, the once quiet room was now manic with movement as everyone inside scurried around the room. Mami was trying to calm the always moving Chiharu as she struggled to get free from her father, Hana padded about trying to find one of Chiharus favourite toys, hoping to distract the child and Ino soon joined in as Kiba happily fed his son; Tsumes brood could be rowdy at times but she wouldn't change any of it for the world.

"That's enough chit chat, time for the cake" Tsume confirmed as she stepped into the rowdy zone, her lips twitched into a grin as her eyes looked at each of her children as the room went silent.

"YAY, CAKE" The cake was out of this world, the sponge was soft and moist as blue icing sweetened the delicious treat that little bit more, the jam keeping the two halves together had blue food colouring mixed in; they really had gone all out on the blue. Even Hiroto had a bite but he spit it out again as his eyes opened in shock, which earned a giggle from Chiharu.

When the cake was completely consumed and all that was left were a few crumbs on the plate Mami sat by herself next to an open door at the back of the room, her eyes looking out into the garden as Hiroto rested in her arms, his head snuggled into the side of Mamis neck to keep warm as a soft chilly breeze swept into the room.

If Mami was truthful with herself she had missed all the noise and madness that her family home brings, she had moved out years ago, wanting her own space and somewhere Mami could call her own, that was something she had inherited from her father, independence; along with the penny pinching, looking back on it Mami would have done it again if she was given the chance but that didn't mean Mami would miss her family any less.

Being an Inuzuka meant Mami was fiercely loyal to not only her family but also her friends, Mami was proactive of anyone in her clan but partially so over the younger clan members. Hiroto sighed as he wiggled around in Mamis arms, once he had settled down Mami softly brushed his hair as he snuggled back into her, Inuzuka were not only protective of their young but of others as well. If anyone hurt a hair on Chiharu or Hirotos head then they would have to answer to Mami.

"Enjoying the day so far?" Ino asked her sister in law as she joined Mami by the open window, the chilly breeze cooling the overheated room.

"Very much so" Mami replied as Hiroto responded to his mother's voice, his small hand gripped onto Mamis top she turned towards Ino, his other hand was swinging around as he toothlessly grinned up at the two women.

"But…" Ino continued, she could feel there was once coming.

"…but I just feel as if something is missing" Mami bounced Hiroto a few times to sooth him, it was more for herself but the baby in her arms liked it so she continued. There was something missing or should she say someone.

"Your dad" Ino sighed as she looked away, this was a difficult topic for her, Mamis dad my not have been the man to kill her sensei years ago but he was still around when it happened. The man Mami called her dad was in fact not her biological father, Mami had come across this man a few times in her young life, she had found him almost twelve years ago on the side of the road and helped him out; the man then returned Mamis kindness by being a father figure to her.

"It has been over a year and a half now, I just wish…" Mami sighed as she shuffled Hiroto around "…I wish he could be here"

"He wants to be here…" A voice piped up as Tsume wondered over to her daughters; one born from her and the other married "…I can't tell you everything but while you were in Sunagakure Mami I was sent on my own mission and I happened to bump into the old goat, he's fine, just wants to come back and count his money like normal" The older women laughed as she patted Mami on the head, Tsume ruffled Mamis long hair before walking off again. With a gurgle and a snot bubble Hiroto grumbled, Mamis nephew wanted some attention.

"What was that for?" Mami giggled in a soft baby voice as Hiroto looked up at his aunt, his pale blue eyes looking a little confused until Mami pulled a face, he giggled loudly at the hilarity of the face pulling and reached his small hands up trying to grip the funniness.

"You will be a great mother someday" Ino mused as she gently took her son from Mami; she tucked the small child into her body as she smiled down at the infant.

"You think so?" Mami asked softly as Hiroto snuggled into his mother.

"I don't think so…" Ino whispered as her eyes glanced up "…I know so"

XxX

"To Mami…" Chiharu read aloud as she held a card in her hands "…happy birthday, this will keep you warm in the cold. From Kak…Kakashi, Shizu…Shizune and the triplets"

"I wonder what it could be" Mami pondered aloud as Tsume passed her daughter the present that went with the card, Chiharu happily helped Mami to open the gift and she was a little disappointed.

"A scarf" Chiharu huffed from her aunts' lap as the paper from the Shizune wrapped gift fell to the floor.

"But it's not just any old scarf…" Mami informed the young child as the light blue fabric slipped though her fingers "…it's a Kakashi scarf" With fast movements Mami wrapped the marital around her neck before pulling the specially added scrap of fabric to make a mask, Mami added the hat and gloves that matched, modelling the items for her young niece.

"You look funny" Chiharu giggled as she tugged the mask down.

"That might be but Mami will be toasty warm when the snow comes" Hana informed her daughter as Chiharu pouted from her fleshly seat.

"I don't have children that pout on my lap" Mami giggled as she removed her gloves to reveal her slender fingers. Mami pounced on the unsuspecting child and tickled her into submission, Chiharu was really ticklish but partially so on her sides.

"Dear Mami…" Kiba read as he flipped the next card open "…hope you have a wonderful day full of laughter and happiness, you looked a little thin the last time I saw you so I whipped up your favourite. It's from Choji and his parents"

"They haven't…" Mami gasped in disbelief as she ripped the glittery blue paper from the small box shaped gift "…they have"

"Have what?" Iruka asked as Mami opened the box in her hands to revile lots of chocolates, each homemade sweet sat in their wrappers waiting to be eaten, their different shapes alluring Mami's mouth to water.

"When Choji goes on a mission his mum will always pack a small snack box for him, Choji shared it with me once and the chocolates were to die for" Her taste buds were dancing in anticipation, praising the sweet nectar that would soon be eaten. With a moan of delight Mami popped a round ball of heaven into her mouth, with her mouth being full she silently offered the box around.

"Damn their good" Kiba whispered as the chocolate slowly melted on his tongue.

"And you said Chojis mum makes these…" With a nod form Mami Tsume looked pleased "…I must remember ask for some"

"To Mami…" Ino began as she spoke round her tasty treat "…your birthday is to be celebrated with happiness and joy. Enjoy the spring time of your youth with vigorous training, never give up and that impossible goal will be yours" Ino couldn't help it; the words were just too funny not to laugh at.

"Are you alright?" Hana asked her newest sister as Ino clutched onto her sides.

"The…spring time…of…your youth" Ino gasped as her hands latched onto whatever she could find.

"That has to be from Lee and Sakura" Mami giggled softly, Lee could always be counted on for an unlimited amount of energy. With a few rips to the paper two weights fell onto the floor with a bang, they left a slight indentation on the floor to which Tsume just raised an eyebrow.

"Weights, now that isn't normal" Kiba mused as he sat beside his laughing wife.

"It means I can train at home now, I've been after a pair like this for a while now. I must thank Lee when I see him next" Mami defended her quirky friend, Lees heart was in the right place and Mami did what a set so she could train at the flat.

"To Mami…" Hana read as Kuromaru pushed a bag towards Mami with his mussel "…you have helped us find the happiness and joy in life where pain was before. Thank you for everything, now it's our turn to return the favour, signed Ai and Youko"

"Who are they?" Chiharu asked sweetly as her big eyes looked up at her aunt, her pigtails bouncing as Chiharu gazed up.

"When I was on a mission a few weeks ago in the Land of Wind I found Ai in a cave…" Mami informed the group as she took the offered bag, her fingers quickly working on the tape keeping the gift together "…she was alone and scared. I brought Ai along with us and in the process found her two sisters, but I wonder why Sayuri didn't sign" As Mami finished her sentence the opening of the bag came free revelling the gift inside. Mamis eyes widened in shock as they darted across the book title, a deep blush crept up Mamis cheeks as she quickly taped the bag back up to prevent little eyes from looking in and promptly sat on it.

"Mami…" Tsume gasped in shock as the redness in her daughters cheeks deepened to a tomato red "…stop sitting on your gift"

"But mum…"

"No buts, hand it here" Tsume was sat on the sofa with her hand held out expectantly for the bag, Mami just looked away. Tsume was impatient; something Kiba inherited from his mother, so when Mami didn't move Tsume used her 'listen to me or you are in deep trouble' look catching the young women's attention. Mother and daughter had a small stare down which lasted ten seconds before Mami sighed in defect, reluctantly Mami shifted from sitting upon the embarrassing book and handed the bag over to her mother. With a slight grin of victory Tsume opened the blue bag to see the source of Mamis blush, an identical flush crept up Tsumes cheeks before she sat upon the bag; this caused the room to laugh.

"Mami-san, happy late birthday, believe it. Naruto and Hinata" Iruka muttered as a small blue gift was thrown her way from the left, Mami snatched the flying box from the air before it hit Chiharu on the side of the head, Kiba got a sharp glare from his older sister as Chiharu happily sang happy birthday unawares of the flying object.

"Brilliant, I needed some more ointment…" Mami cheered as she produced a small brown bottle of sticky liquid "…oh and two vouches for a free meal at Ichiraku"

"And you will naturally bring your favourite brother in law to Ichiraku" Iruka joked which earned him an elbow in the ribs and a sharp look from Hana.

"But what about your favourite niece"

"Or brother"

"All right, all right, settle down now. Time for the next present" Ino interrupted as Mami opened the next card.

"To Mami, happy late birthday. From Kankuro" A look of puzzlement crossed Mamis face as the biggest box shaped box was handed to the kunoichi, the box looked really heavy but it was as light as a feather. The shiny blue paper glinted in the light as Mami ripped it away, Chiharu naturally helped.

"It's a doggy" Chiharu squealed in delight as she shoved her small arm into the box.

"It's not a doggy…" Mami corrected as she gently eased the object out of its cardboard home "…it's a doggy puppet"

"It's Naoki…" The small child cheered as she patted the orangey red fur that covered the wood structure "…he even has a collar"

"Kankuro has put a lot of detail into this" Ino mussed as her eyes scanned the puppet; it even had a white flash on the chest.

"Can I play with him, please pretty please?" Chiharu begged, her eyes large and puppy like as she gazed up at Mami. How could she turn down a face like that?

"Of course you can but you have to be very careful with him" Mami instructed as she handed the stringed puppet to Hana. Chiharu happily followed her mother as Hana showed her child how to work the many strings, once she had the hang of it Chiharu climbed into her mother's lap and started to play. Naoki just looked confused as his eyes bounced from the puppet to Mami and back again, he didn't know what to make of the mini him.

"This one is from Ino and me…" Kiba began as he handed over the wrapped gift. The thin layer of paper covering the heavy item was once again blue but it was dotted with little smiley faces, they looked up happily with glittery eyes as Mami took the offered item "…we know how you like reading, it should come in handy"

"I'm sure it will" Mami replied with a soft smile as she placed the wrapped gift in her lap, Mami had a slight frown above her eyes as she looked for a some part that wasn't covered with tape; it was difficult but in a small corner the wrapping paper stuck out, with a short pull the smiling paper fell to the floor to reveal a thick book.

"1001 herbs and their uses…" Iruka muttered as his eyes glanced at the book "…don't you…"

"I love it…" Mami loudly declared as she looked up at her brother and sister in law with a huge smile on her face. Ino looked down at the book in Mamis lap and then to Kiba with a puzzled look in her blue eyes, Kiba smiled back at his sister with a huge grin. The proud look on Kibas face and the confusion on Ino's showed Kiba had chosen the gift alone, he looked so happy Mami didn't have the heart to say she already had a dog-eared copy at home by her bed "…thank you"

A.N. It's been so long since I updated. I have been stuck working out the kinks of the next chapter and then I wasn't happy with it so I started again. Anyway, enjoy.