Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Sasuke, not me
Please Read and Review!
This is set up as multiple different days throughout their lives. Thus, each chapter represents a new step in their relationship. Yes, they are now 'boyfriend's', and are still best friends so I use those terms interchangeably with this pair.
I changed this chapter, it is now closer to what I had started it to be. It also makes next chapter (the last chapter) much easier to write and it makes it flow easier.
The Last Chip
Chapter 6: Butterfly
A young chuunin sat in the crowd, front row, watching as his lover stood forth, claiming the reins of his clan.
"I hereby swear that, as the sixteenth head of the Akimichi, I will entrust the oath entrusted to me by the fifteenth to the child that will become the seventeenth! In order to protect both the Yamanaka and the Nara clans and to protect Konoha, I, Akimichi Chōji, will now come forth from my chrysalis and as a butterfly— spread my wings!"
As Choji declared himself the sixteenth leader of the Akimichi, the gathering of Yamanaka, Akimichi and Nara, as well as clan heads and the newest leaders friends, sat as witnesses.
The ever bored expression was present on Shikamaru's face, his shoulders sagged and his hands rested carefully on his thighs as he leaned against the backrest. Inside, however he was so very happy for the love of his life; his dream of leading his clan had finally come and is now his reality.
Shikamaru watched as his father rose to stand next to Choji to congratulate him, saying loudly to all present that the Nara clan accepts the change of leadership. Likewise, Yamanaka Inoichi stood proclaiming his clans acceptance. The newest leaders of the Hyuuga, Hinata and Neji, as well as the head of the Aburame, Shibi, and lastly a representative from the Inuzuka, Hana, also vowed their acceptance. The clan leaders stepped off of the stage leaving just the two Akimichi on the raised platform as they made an announcement about a small dinner that evening to celebrate.
The whole ceremony was a drag. The young Nara wanted nothing more that to congratulate his lover in his own way. He rose and headed to the stage but before he could get to Choji, he was lead away by the former clan head.
"Shikamaru" the chunin looked behind him to see his father calling him, "Come, let us go for a short walk in the woods. I doubt we will be missed." Without word he followed his father from the courtyard to a well traveled path leading to the Nara forest
"It was a lovely ceremony was it not?"
"It was a drag" Shikamaru replied as he lit the cigarette in his mouth, exhaling a cloud of smoke.
"It won't be long until we have one for you"
"Take your time" at this Shikaku chucked lightly as the continued to walk down the beaten path between the parted trees
A large man was followed by his son as they walked into the study. It was a large room with a plush area rug on the hard wood floors, a wooden table was surrounded by mats, a wooden desk stood with a large chair behind it and two others stood in front of it. Shelves lined the walls full of scrolls.
"My son, how do you feel about marriage?"
"That would be wonderful" The chubby ninja's face lit up. The prospect of marrying his long time lover was secretly his greatest dream.
"Good, because your mother and I have found the perfect woman for you." Choza said with false pride. As the meaning of those words washed of Choji, his legs became unable to support his weight and he fell on the nearest chair.
"B-but dad, I already have someone" he tried
"You have a male lover, he cannot give you the heir the clan needs. We are the leaders, we must put the clan first-always" Tears glistened in his eyes as he looked out the lone window, unable to look at his son.
"You are telling me I have to leave Shika?" his father remained silent in affirmation, "I-I can't do that!" He struggled to breath against the crushing weight around his heart.
"You can and you will" Choza said a little harshly, trying to keep the emotion from his voice. "You will learn to love your wife, as I have mine." He left the room and stayed outside of the door. He listened to his sons painful sobs. Choza placed a hand over his heart and allowed the tears stream from his cheeks. He had vowed when he was younger that he would never do this to his son, now he was just like his father.
The tree leaves rustled gently in the breeze as the life of the forest hummed around the pair of Nara walking peacefully.
"I am not ready to retire yet, but it is still time for you to prepare for the future, Shikamaru. Your mother and I have found a suitable wife for you."
Shikamaru stopped in his tracks with his mouth agape. His Cigarette slid from between his lips and landed on the ground.
"It is time for you to start thinking like the Head of this Clan and produce an heir." Shikaku looked over his son. His face reflecting the cracks happening around his heart, Shikaku remembered that pain well.
"No" his voice taunt with disbelief
"I know this is hard, but it is for the good of the clan. It is a choice I had to make and now it is your turn," Shikaku walked on, leaving his son behind.
"Who?" Shikamaru called after his father as he put the pieces together quickly. If he father had to make that choice he had to have had a lover.
"Choza" He whispered, barely heard by the other and he continued talking on, "You have an hour before the dinner"
Shikamaru stood as he watched his father's retreating back. The need to produce heirs ripping apart another pair.
Within the hour Choji was ready to be announced at his party. He wore a kimono of silk, died red. A dark cloud hung over his head, but he did his best to not let it show. He circled the room, gracefully receiving congratulations from his friends. He looked all over for the only person he really wanted to see.
Shikamaru leaned against the wall in the back, he watched his lover, longing to be by his side. He made eye contact with his best friend briefly, only to smile sadly and nod his head. Just as the large ninja was moving toward him, his mother grabbed his arm and lead him over to a young Akimichi girl.
She was pretty enough, this Akimichi Kanna, Choji's distant cousin also from the direct line. Her cheeks were adorned with swirls of teal, topped by large red eyes. Her round face framed by brown tendrils. She wore a deep violet kimono, accentuating her voluptuous figure. She laughed at something Choji's mom had said, it was musical. She just looked like she belonged with him. Shikamaru's stomach curled, yes she was a lucky woman.
"Hello, Shikamaru-kun" a masculine voice drew him from his self loathing.
"Good evening, Hyuugas" He gazed upon his company. Neji had a silver kimono, his long hair flowed down his back. His wife's arm rested in his. She wore a silk kimono of lavender, delicately emphasizing her swollen womb.
After the deaths of Hiashi and Hanabi, Hinata was renamed heir so long as she married Neji to unite the branches and ease the transition from war to peace and between heads. They had wed in the large garden Hinata's mother had made, only the Konaha 11, their leaders, clan heads and the Hyuuga council were present.
"Hey guys!" Naruto flowed through the crowed toward them; he was followed by his ever present raven haired shadow. During the final battle of the war, Uchiha Madara was beating Naruto, intent on taking the kyuubi. Seeing the blonde release more of the demon caused something to snap inside Uchiha Sasuke and he turned on his elder relative. Together he and Naruto ended the battle and returned to the village. After Sasuke's trial, Naruto was named the 7th Hokage and they were married soon after, taking the last name 'Uchimaki'.
"Where are the twins?" Hinata inquired.
"With Kakashi and Iruka-sensei" Naruto responded, "We are heading out to pick them up as soon as we tell Choji congratulations, but we wanted to say hey to everyone else first! Believe it!" Sasuke nodded behind him, he didn't speak often; had always been a man of few words.
The group smiled at him and he headed off once more grabbing the Uchiha on his way.
"We must be heading out too, I do not want my dear wife on her feet any longer." With a smirk quick exchange of goodbye's, Neji scooped his wife in his arms and vanished into a cloud of smoke.
Placing a hand on the back of his head, Shikamaru sighed. He watched his father now push through the crowd toward him-would this night never end?
"Son, I would like you to meet Nara Kukiko" Guiding the brunette behind him to Shikamaru's point of view. Without asking, he knew this was the woman his father wanted him to marry. She wasn't helpless in looks, creamy skin stretched over high cheekbones. She had a pouty lower lip with a thin top, with a small scar present past the cupids bow. Her brown hair was parted on the side and tied loosely at her neck, a natural blonde streak lay exposed by the part. The woman had large brown doe eyes, with flecks of green. Her lithe body covered in a pale pink kimono. Not too hard on the eyes at all. Shikamaru had to thank their fathers for at least choosing pretty brides for the both of them. However, try as she might she did not compare to the beauty of his lover, especially when Choji's cheeks were flushed with passion and his lips swollen from demanding kisses.
"Hello, Kukiko-chan. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance"
"The pleasure is mine, Shikamaru-san" she bowed her head, Shikamaru fought the urge to roll his eyes.
"I think I will leave you two alone to get better acquainted" Shikaku walked off, praying to the kami's this worked out.
"Well, at least you're attractive." She blurted out.
"Excuse me?"
"Gomen, it was nothing." She blushed lightly
"You don't want to get married either, huh?"
"Don't take it personal, I just not really excited to marry someone I don't know"
"You have a lover too then?"
"Over there, glaring at you. How about you?" She pointed toward Inuzuka Kiba who was standing against the wall next to the door.
"Over there, talking to his future wife" She tried to hold it in, she really tired but it her lips could no longer contain it, she laughed. Shikamaru looked at her briefly before joining her in laughter. There was nothing truly funny about the situation, just that both pined for someone they couldn't be with, because of their clan.
"I would love to stay and chat to my soon to be husband, but my lover just gave me the 'we need to talk' eyes."
"I have a better idea, come one" Shikamaru wrapped his arm around his intended and led her over to Choji and his fiancé. "Since the party is wrapping up, would you two like to accompany us on a walk in the forest?" Choji looked around, the party was winding down and he would be allowed to leave with Kanna. He nodded wrapped his arm around her shoulders and began to head out. Before leaving they stopped and invited Kiba to join as well.
The night was calm and comfortable, the moon shone brightly, casting its angelic light across the land. The Nara pair dropped the pretense as soon as they knew they wouldn't be seen from those at the party. The Nara practically jumped into the arms of their respective Akimichi, nearly knocking them down.
"Congratulations, Cho" Shikamaru kissed his lover. It had been too emotionally exhausting of a day to be without the comfort of his larger lover. Once the kiss was broken Choji looked to his fiancé, intent on telling her he was in love with Shikamaru, however she was deep a conversation with the shadow of the tree along the path. The chaotic chakra signature revealed the shadow to be a civilian.
"Well then ladies and gentlemen, I believe we all have some explaining to do" Choji chuckled lightly grabbing a hold of Shikamaru's hand.
The man from the shadows exposed himself. He wore dark blue clothing which rippled against his muscles, well honed by his trade as a Ferrier. His blond hair was covered with a dark hat, but his crystal green eyes stood out against his tanned skin. Kanna grabbed his hand and pulled him with the group.
The group traveled farther down the path, to a row of benches sitting on either side.
Each pair sat with their respective lover, Shikamaru and Choji taking the bench overlooking the clearing. They talked about their hopes, and dreams, willingness to marry but not the ones they were forced to, but lack of way around it. They needed heirs.
"I think we are going to turn in. The nights we can spend with our lover are coming to an end and I intend on making the most of it." Kukiko boldly declared. She was highly outspoken with little decorum around people she trusted. With a quick exchange of 'good night's' she took her lover by the hand and lead him into the forest, where a howl and "I LOVE THIS WOMAN" was heard moments later.
The remaining pair chucked before Kanna and her lover, Tenchi, decided it was time to turn in as well. With a few exchanges of 'good night' and 'it was nice to meet you' they were headed down the path, walking toward the civilian sect of the village.
Shikamaru shifted his position so his head was laying, face up, in his lover's lap watching the clouds float past. Choji brought out his chip bag from his kimono sleeve and opened them. They slowly fell into their normal routine.
"Hey Shika, there is only one chip left. Would you like it?" He placed the chip to his lover's lips. Without hesitation, Shikamaru grabbed Choji's hand; quickly he swallowed the chip and drew his boyfriend's fingers into his mouth, licking them clean of lingering crumbs and flavoring. He made eye contact with his teammate as he twirled his tongue around the finger tips and down the length of the fingers, seductively.
He released the appendages from his mouth with a soft pop and sat up. He thrust his fingers into thick auburn locks, pulling their faces together. Their tongues danced together, moving in sync.
The sound of a tongue clicking drew them from their embrace.
"Now. Now you two, out in the open? What if Tsuki or Komaru were awake and saw you?" Naruto joked with the blushing pair.
"Not like they have seen you two all over one another by now" Shikamaru retorted. The moon bathed the Uchimaki pair, giving each an ethereal appearance. Their hands were wound together and each held a sleeping toddler in their other arm. The blush staining Naruto's cheeks stood out, even in the dim light.
"We lock the door. You never know when a toddler is going to wonder in and laugh saying 'Poppa jump Daddy'." Sasuke blanched slightly at Naruto's brashness but the other pair just chuckled.
"Come Dobe, we have a date with our door lock tonight, and I don't want to be late" Sasuke joked slightly as he nodded to the other pair, in salutation.
"Teme! Night you guys. Don't forget to wrap it before you tap it!" Naruto called over his shoulder as the happy couple headed off to their house.
"It's not like we can get pregnant" Choji morbidly chuckled.
Shikamaru didn't hear him, though as he watched the Uchimaki walk off into the night. Once they were cleared from view he turned to his lover.
"You love me, I have a plan."
"What is it? Yeah, I love you"
"Then trust me with it. Now where were we?" He quickly drew their lips back together with force. He was unable to withstand the happiness feeling his heart fore Shikamaru had a plan indeed.
A/N: Please read and review...sorry about the slight cliffy...what is Shika going to do? Insert a womb and keep it alive via chakra? Get married to Kukiko, while Choji marries Kanna and just be happily married. Go under intense training to learn to create a chakra womb? Wait and see :)