Love Child

A Shikatema Fanfic

Disclaimer: I own nothing

CH-13
Week 10~Part 2

Shikamaru's POV

I sighed out of frustration. Temari just up and disappeared on me. I had been searching around Konaha for hours for her and it was beginning to get dark.

Suddenly my phone rang. I quickly pulled it out; in the hope it was Temari. I was disappointed when I saw it was Kurenai.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Are you a complete idiot Shikamaru?"

Wow, what a start.

"What?" I asked.

"Temari shows up at my apartment crying her eyes out because of you and your insensitivity!"

"My insensitivity?"

"Temari is pregnant Shikamaru! She is very sensitive to everything! I am surprised she didn't break down a week ago! You can't just ignore her! She's incredibly emotional!"

"In my defence, we were late for an appointment."

"It wasn't just today Shikamaru! The past three weeks? I mean c'mon! You have got to let her know that you care!"

"I thought she knew!" I hissed at the phone.

Kurenai sighed on the phone. Then she said,

"You may be good with kids Shikamaru, but with adults you are terrible!"

"Why am I so terrible?"

"Because they are like children in a way! You can't just assume they know things! You have to tell them! Just like you would a child!"

"So tell me. What am I supposed to do now?"

"Go home, reschedule the doctor's appointment and then figure out a way to tell Temari you care. She is going to stay here until you figure out how to say it."

"She's my responsibility; I'll come and get her."

"There's your problem Shikamaru!"

"What?" I asked, confused.

"She's your 'responsibility', your 'obligation'. She's a human being Shikamaru! She has feelings! She shouldn't be your obligation. She should be the centre of your world," replied Kurenai.

"She already is!"

"Then prove it to her! Stop treating her like she is another mission!"

Then Kurenai hung up on me. I sighed again and turned to go home.

Temari's POV

"Maybe I overreacted," I said to Kurenai.

She shook her head,

"You're pregnant, you can react anyway you want and it won't be an overreaction."

I smiled, and asked,

"Were you this bad when you were pregnant with Chiyo?"

"I was worse. It was like PMSing times eight hundred thousand. I near castrated any male that approached me."

I smiled at the idea if castrating Shikamaru. Then he wouldn't be able to knock up anyone. I was startled by a little Chiyo running into the room.

"Mama?"

"Yes Chiyo?"

"Will you come and play with me?"

"I am little busy right now, honey," she replied with a smile.

Chiyo turned to me and said,

"You were the lady that came with Uncle Shikamaru, that one time."

I nodded and smiled. Then Kurenai said,

"She's your auntie, honey."

I looked up at Kurenai and raised an eyebrow. Chiyo's eyes brightened and asked,

"Really? I've never had an auntie before!"

"Yes you have silly. You have auntie Hinata," replied Kurenai.

"But I don't see auntie Hinata very often," said Chiyo. "So you're my auntie?"

I nodded and said,

"I am your auntie Temari."

"It's nice to meet you," she said politely.

"The pleasures all mine," I said smiling.

"Will you come and play with me?"

"I need to talk to your mama for a little bit, but after I will," I said to the little girl.

"Okay!" she said and ran out of the room as fast as she had come in.

I looked up at Kurenai to find her smiling at me. I smiled too, as she said,

"I think you're going to be a good parent."

My smile widened.

"Thank-you."

Time Skip!
*

It was the evening of the fifth night I had been staying at Kurenai's. I found myself smiling more often and laughing lots with Kurenai. But I couldn't help and feel concerned about Shikamaru. Kurenai told me that she wouldn't let him see me until he smartened up. But what was taking him so long? He's the smartest man I know.

I was peeling potatoes for dinner when I heard a knock at the door. We were expecting company after all.

I quickly washed my hands and wiped them dry on my borrowed apron. I walked down the hall and opened the door.

I smiled at Kakashi as he was all bundled up in his coat and scarf. I gestured for him to come in. He did and beat the snow off of his boats.

"Temari, I didn't know you were staying with Kurenai," said Kakashi as he pulled off his scarf.

"It's temporary," I said with a smile.

"Uncle KAKA!" screeched Chiyo before jumping on him.

Kakashi half-laughed and held Chiyo up in his arms.

"How's my favourite little girl?"

I smiled and returned to the kitchen and my brooding. That's when the second knock came upon the door.

I washed my hands of the scent of the onion I had been cutting and set off down the hall-way again. I opened the door.

I was instantly grabbed by the visitor and pulled into a tight hug. I would like to say it was warm, but it wasn't. They wore a coat and had been in the cold for some time.

I stood there shocked as Shikamaru pulled back from me. Then he quickly walked inside and shut the door, sheltering us from the cold.

"Shika ..."

"Are you busy?" he asked.

"What?" I asked confused.

"Are you busy?" he asked again.

"Not particularly, why?"

"Would you like to go out on a date?" he asked, his eyes twinkling.

"What?" I asked, confused again.

"I promised I'd show you the Winter Festival. Would you like to go?"

"Right now?"

"Yes."

"I am kind of cooking dinner ..."

"Kurenai!" called Shikamaru, into the apartment.

She appeared quickly and asked,

"What are you doing here?"

"Can you finish making dinner?"

"Of course I can," she said. "Why?"

"I want to take Temari to see the festival."

"Alright," she said shrugging. "But be careful, it's icy out. Make sure she doesn't fall."

Shikamaru nodded vigorously. Then he grabbed my jacket and held it out for me. I sighed slightly and pulled off the apron. Then I slid on my jacket; then my hat, then my scarf, and then my gloves.

Shikamaru opened the door and pulled me out into the cold. I had to suppress a shiver because if the change in the temperature.

(AN:/ okay, so I don't know jack about Japanese festivals or what not so I am doing this Canadian style! Just thought you should know)

Shikamaru grabbed my gloved hand in his and pulled us down the road toward the festival. I blushed at the contact; it was a strange feeling after Shikamaru's lack of acknowledgement for so long.

He pulled me into a busy street that was crowded with people dressed similarly to us. There were vendors lining the side of the streets and they were being flocked by people.

"It's a Christmas Market," said Shikamaru.

I turned my head to look at him, gesturing for him to continue.

"It's Konaha tradition," he said grinning. "The vendors all come from foreign places, and there are some from here, all to sell Christmas gifts."

I smiled and watched as people passed by us. Shikamaru then tugged on my hand and asked,

"Would you like to go and take a look around?"

I nodded my head and Shikamaru led me throughout the vendors. I couldn't help but smile when I found vendors that were from Suna.

We then came upon a vendor selling a peculiar type of candy-like thing. I was looking at it confused when Shikamaru caught my stare.

"Have you ever had maple toffee before?"

I shook my head,

"They don't have it in Suna."

"You'll love it," he said and then ordered two.

I watched as they poured maple syrup onto snow and then rolled it up on a stick. Shikamaru took them and handed one to me. He immediately started to lick his. I laughed at his enthusiasm. I cautiously took a lick and found that it was actually really good. Soon enough I was licking my toffee like a dog.

Shikamaru and I wandered with our toffee until we ran into Neji and Tenten.

"Nara."

"Huugya."

"Oh my gosh Temari!" gushed Tenten, as she rushed forward and gave me a big hug.

I laughed and smiled.

"Hey Tenten, how have you been?"

"Good good! I have been training and working like a mad person lately," Neji 'hn'ed to this; I assumed it meant what she said was true. "But what are you doing here? I am sure you'd rather be at home in a warm desert instead of cold Konaha! And what's this? Holding Shikamaru's hand? Are you two finally a couple?"

"Yes," said Shikamaru forwardly.

I started laughing at Tenten and Neji's faces. It was like their faces were frozen in the most ridiculous faces. Both of their eyes were wide and mouths hanging wide open in shock.

"Really?" asked Neji.

I nodded and then said,

"Now you just have to get over yourself and ask Tenten out and it will all be good."

Both Tenten and Neji blushed. Shikamaru and I laughed heartily at this. We then said our goodbyes quietly and went our separate ways.

"Temari?"

"Yah?" I asked.

"You want to go to a tea shop and get some tea to warm up?"

"That sounds like a good idea," I said.

Shikamaru led me away from the big crowds to a small little tea shop. We walked in and found it shockingly empty. It seemed everyone was at the festival. I gave Shikamaru my order and the went to sit down. I chose a seat by the window to watch people pass by. I slipped my jacket off and waited for my fiancé.

Shikamaru quietly joined me. I turned to see him staring at me.

"What?" I asked.

"Are you going to keep those earmuffs on inside?"

I blushed scarlet and then pulled my earmuffs off.

"You're so cute when you blush," he said.

I blushed even deeper. Did he just give me a genuine compliment? One that wasn't just implied? Did he actually call me cute?

"So how was staying at Kurenai's?"

"Kind of crazy," I said with a smile. "Someone needs to teach Kurenai some organizational skills."

"She's always been disorganized. But that's the way she likes it."

"And Chiyo is just a firecracker! She is so full of energy it is amazing."

"You should see her when she has sugar. It's even more amazing."

"I can imagine. But I have now been promoted to aunt," I said.

"Really?"

"Really really!"

I smiled and laughed as our conversation continued. This was the Shikamaru I loved. The witty, sarcastic, down to earth- wait love? I love Shikamaru?

I let the thought pass and continued talking. Soon three hours had passed without us noticing. The shopkeeper told us he was sorry, but he had to close down for the night.

Shikamaru and I laughed and then thanked him. We
walked back out to the street. Shikamaru then led me back to where the crowds were. They were much smaller now, as it was nearing midnight.

We wandered aimlessly around the Christmas Market, and through a few shops that had stayed open late. We chatted about random topics, and I really didn't care.

Shikamaru took me down by the river and we sat there for a while. I was happy, for the first time in a long time. I didn't know that talking to Shikamaru could make me feel so happy. We were laughing at the dynamics of the Gai-Lee relationship when I heard the first bang.

I instantly jumped up and was looking for the cause of the sound. Blame my ninja reflexes. Shikamaru laughed at me and said,

"Calm down Temari! They are just fireworks!"

I blushed embarrassed and sat back down beside him. I turned my head up and watched as light exploded in the sky.

"Merry Christmas," said Shikamaru.

"What?"

"It's midnight. Today is Christmas."

I laughed at myself. I didn't even realize that it was Christmas Eve. That explains the festival was so packed tonight.

"Well then Merry Christmas to you too."

He smiled and then caressed the side of my face. Then cautiously he placed his lips on mine. I kissed his gentle lips back with full force. Slowly he pulled back from me.

He looked up into my eyes with his hawk-like ones.

"Temari Sabaku, I think I am in love with you."

"I think you are too," I answered.

Shikamaru let out a short chuckle and then looked into my eyes once more with similar intensity as the night in Suna, but not quite the same.

"My stupid crybaby, I am in love with you too."

He grinned at the use of his old nickname. He quickly pecked me on the lips and said,

"I think it's time to go home."

"I couldn't agree more."

-/-

Wooooh! That was hardwork! xD

So I am glad I am done that part. xD

I realize some parts were kind of superficial, but I was not about to write three hours worth of Shikatema dialogue. I can barely talk to my best friend for that long, let alone my boyfriend xD

I'll try my hardest to keep writing this story, but there's no guarantee I will have time or the inspiration xD

Thanks for the Reviews!

But Anyways

Spaz Out ;)