Love Child
A Shikatema Fanfic
Disclaimer- I don't own naruto
CH-15
Week 17
It was an unfamiliar feeling; waking up alone. I spent twenty-seven years doing it, except for the occasional fling I woke up beside. But waking up alone just didn't seem right. Without Shikamaru there, the bed just seemed empty.
I sighed heavily and pushed myself up to sitting. It had been like this for the past few days. Shikamaru left on a mission, and I spent the days by my lonesome. I couldn't help but feel a little bit jumpy; I kept getting the feeling that something bad was going to happen to Shikamaru without me there to protect him. Of course I didn't say that to him; it'd hurt his pride too much.
I swung my feet over the edge of my empty bed. I slipped my feet into soft slippers and then trudged my way over to our closet.
There wasn't much left in the closet that fit me. That is why today, I was going maternity clothes shopping with Hinata. I'd been putting it off; I didn't want to go by myself. But seeing as I couldn't wear any of my normal bras anymore, I thought it would be a good time to go.
I pulled on the loosest bra I owned and pulled on a large purple long sleeved shirt. I pulled on my only pair pants that fit. A glance in the mirror told me that I looked about as great as I felt and that really wasn't very great.
I dragged myself to the kitchen and poured some cereal into a bowl. I emptied the remainder of milk in the jug and grabbed a spoon. I went and plopped myself down on the couch and started eating.
The last doctor's appointment I had, the overall theme was sleep more. But the theme of mine yesterday was eating more. It was a hard thing to do because my entire life I had been watching my figure, but I couldn't do that anymore.
It was lonely; yesterday's appointment. There was no Shikamaru with me, making clever quips that made me smile. I was so used of him being there.
I felt a tear drop onto my hand and I flinched. I didn't want to cry, it'd only make me feel worse. I was already wallowing in self-pity enough, I didn't need tears too.
What's wrong with me? I never needed someone there for me before, so why do I need one now? I am Temari Sabaku. The scariest woman since Yoshino Nara. I whimpered quietly at the thought of 'Nara'.
I shoveled more cereal into my mouth. I had myself mostly under control when I heard a knock at my door. I jumped at the sound, it could be Shikamaru! Wait, no it couldn't, Shikamaru would never knock at his own apartment.
"Who is it?"
"It's me, Hinata!" she called down the hall.
"It's unlocked!" I called to her.
I heard the Huugya footsteps down the hallway. I took a deep breath and turned to face her arriving figure.
"Hey Temari," she said timidly.
"Good Morning Hinata," I said, pulling myself up off the couch.
"Are you ready to go?"
I nodded and we walked back to the door. I was thankful that my shoes still fit when I slid them on. That was one thing I didn't have to replace.
I locked up my apartment and Hinata and I set off towards our destination- Konaha's only all maternity store.
"How's Naruto?" I asked.
Hinata smiled at the sound of his name. She replied,
"He's adjusting."
When Hinata's Dad found out she was pregnant he didn't even flinch. He calmly assessed the situation, and then made a decision. The heir to the Huugya family could not have a bastard child. So now Naruto and Hinata are engaged and Naruto is being taught the ways of noble families. It's taking him a while to grasp the concepts. When I went out for ramen with him and Chouji I couldn't believe how many stories he had about him screwing up. It had only been three weeks.
Hinata's Dad may have reacted calmly, but I can't say as much for Neji. Tenten was the only one that stopped him from castrating Naruto. I had never seen Neji break composure before, so seeing him run through the village chasing Naruto was a new experience for me. But I guess Naruto had made the Huugya's house turn upside down, so what less can you expect.
"How's Neji doing?"
"He is adjusting too."
I smiled. Neji's rampant reminded me of Kankuro's. I thought of how he attacked Shikamaru blindly. I felt my chest tighten at the thought of my fiancé.
"So have you heard from your brothers lately?" asked Hinata.
"Gaara sends a letter once a week and Kankuro, usually three or four."
"Really?"
I nodded.
"I think they are just as hyped up on hormones as I am. Me being pregnant is an extremely strange concept for the three of us."
"Well that's understandable. You didn't plan this pregnancy, and it is your first one," she pointed out.
"That's true. When I think about it, I never really planned to have a child, but now it seems different."
"I always knew I was going to have children," said Hinata. "It was one of my duties as heir, but I also love them dearly. I just never expected it to happen like it did."
"But are you happy?" I asked.
"Yes," she answered.
"That's a good thing."
"What about you Temari?"
"Hn?"
"Are you happy?"
I smiled a small smile and said,
"Yes. I am feeling lonely without Shikamaru here, but I am still happy."
"When does he get back?"
I shrugged my shoulders; I really didn't know. I wish I knew, but instead I have to wait for him, and every day I am expecting him to be home and being disappointed.
We reached the store. Here goes nothing.
Hinata and I walked in and were instantly swarmed by hostesses.
"Ladies!" the mob exclaimed. "What can we do for you today?"
Both Hinata and my eyes widened. But Hinata regained her composure faster than I could.
"We need some new clothes," she answered quietly.
"While how far along are you two ladies?"
"I am thirteen weeks," said Hinata quietly.
"I am seventeen," I added.
"Wow! Seventeen? Most women come in here long before that! You must have some loose clothing!" said one woman.
"Right this way!" said two others and they lead us through the store.
The two ladies led us to the back and another woman waited for us there. She looked about 24 weeks pregnant. Around her neck hung a measuring tape.
"Ladies! We'll get you measured and then we can start getting you some new clothing."
Hinata and I both took off our coats and other outer layers. I was measured first and Hinata followed. The measuring woman offered to tell us the measurements but I didn't want to know.
"So what colors do you like wearing Temari?"
We had told the ladies our names so they could start a small file with our sizes in them.
"Umm black? Some red and some purple and sometimes navy blue. I don't really like to wear light blue colours, but I will if there is nothing else."
"What about green?" asked the lady who was working with me.
Both Hinata and I were talking to separate ladies. But we were both getting asked the same questions.
"I'll wear green, it's not my favorite, but I'll wear it."
"I imagine you are in desperate need of new undergarments, which colors would you prefer?" asked the lady.
"Nude, white, or black. Maybe red too," I answered.
"Do your shoes still fit, because sometimes pregnant women's feet get swollen and they need new shoes?"
"Mine still fit," I answered.
"Do you prefer pants, jeans, skirts, shorts, or capris?"
"I like long skirts, jeans and shorts. I'll wear capris, but I won't wear just straight pants, it has to be jeans or a skirt."
"Alrighty then," said the lady. "I think I have enough to go on for the moment. Give me ten minutes and I'll have a whole bunch of clothes ready for you to try on. We have complimentary fruit if you'd like, and by the way my name is Ren."
And then she was gone. I turned to Hinata to see that her lady had too disappeared.
"This may be easier than I thought," I said to Hinata.
"I didn't quite imagine it would be difficult," replied Hinata.
"I am just not one for shopping. If I were I imagine I would be spending tons of time with Ino."
Hinata smiled a small smile, but did not comment. She went returned to the couch where she'd be sitting. I followed and sat down beside her. She almost upset.
"What is it Hinata?"
"I haven't told Ino, or Sakura that I am pregnant," she said quietly.
"I haven't told Ino, and the only reason Tenten knows is because she was in the process of calming Neji down when I came to visit last time and Sakura was there at my first appointment."
That wasn't completely true. Ino did actually find out, but Shikamaru wiped her mind of that memory. But that's not all that important.
"I just feel so bad without telling them. I haven't even told Kurenai or Kiba or Lee or anybody else."
I wrapped my arm around Hinata's shoulder and said,
"Well then we should go see Kurenai after we are done here and then go out for lunch with Ino and Sakura. How about it?"
"That sounds nice," said the Huugya, quietly.
"Hopefully I won't get attacked this time," I muttered quietly.
"What?" asked Hinata, confused.
"Oh nothing," I replied.
Hinata eyed me cautiously and but dropped the subject.
"We should invite Tenten too, just so she doesn't feel left out."
"Temari, Tenten's away on a mission with Neji and Shikamaru right now."
My chest tightened at the sound of my fiancé's name. Then I responded,
"Oh right, I'd forgotten that."
Hinata glanced at me, and was about to say something when our shopping personnel showed up in front of us.
"We have clothes and changing rooms ready for the both of you!" they said together and pulled us toward the change rooms.
We both went along quietly, and walked into the dressing rooms. On the inside was three waist high stacks of clothing; one of tops, one of bottoms and one of undergarments.
I took off the clothes I was wearing and instantly went to the undergarments. It felt unbelieveablely better when they actually fit properly.
Then I started to go through the other two piles and found that there actually quite a few things that I liked. One in a particular was a loose fitting crème sweater with a pair of jeans.
Hinata also found plenty of things that tickled her fancy. We both ended up getting more than a couple outfits worth. When we left I was carrying four large bags full of clothing and Hinata carried six.
"Well that was easy," I said to her, as we walked out of the store.
Hinata nodded and asked me,
"Do you want to go see Kurenai now? Or take our bags home first?"
"I want to take mine home first, but if you think the Huuyga compound is too far away, you could just leave your bags at my apartment."
"Alright," Hinata said, and we set off for mine and Shikamaru's apartment.
We chatted quietly about nothing important while we walked to my apartment. But on our way we were confronted by Ino; she saw our shopping bags.
"You went shopping without me!" she exclaimed.
I smiled slightly. Through mine and Hinata's coats, you couldn't tell that either of us were pregnant, so Ino had yet to through a fit.
"We didn't think you'd want to come with us Ino-Chan," said Hinata.
"I always want to go shopping!" she exclaimed.
"Well we are done for the day Ino, sorry," I said.
Ino looked at me and said,
"Temari! Why are you here?"
I glanced over to Hinata surely she had heard by now about me and Shikamaru. Hinata gave me an 'I don't know' look back at me. Plus she was the biggest gossiper in Konoha.
"Weren't you here during Christmas Ino?" I asked her.
"No, I was away on a mission, why?"
"Oh," I said. "Then you must have missed the memo. I am engaged to Shikamaru."
Ino froze; I instantly prepared for an attack, just in case it happened like it did when she found out the first time.
"Really?" she asked without exuberance.
I nodded my head, still prepared for the worst. She didn't look like she was going to attack me, but with Ino, you just never know. Her face went impassive and then she said,
"Congratulations," without much emotion.
"Have you heard that this one," I bumped Hinata with my hip, "Is engaged to Naruto?"
Ino's eyes widened with shock.
"Seriously?" she asked with enthusiasm.
Hinata blushed red and nodded her head.
"Oh my gosh! Wow? Really? I can't believe it!" shouted Ino.
I smiled at Ino's reaction. I'd expected it to be exactly similar to how I'd imagine her reacting to Hinata's engagement. She wasn't as enthused about my engagement, but that was only to be expected.
"Does Sakura know?" asked Ino, excited.
Both me and Hinata laughed; Sakura had been a key witness in the Neji-Naruto chase/battle.
"Yes, she knows," Hinata told her.
"What's so funny?" asked Ino.
"How about you come over to my place for lunch and we'll tell you all about it?" I asked her.
Originally the plan was for all the girls to go out for lunch, but I thought it just as easy for me to whip up something at home and we could all just stay there.
"Sure," Ino said.
"I think we should probably invite Kurenai, and Sakura over, then we can just have an all-girl lunch," I said.
"Ya, sure," said Ino.
"Alright then," I said.
The three of us set off in the direction of my apartment. Ino asked me as we were walking,
"So how long have you been living in Konaha, Temari?"
"Since mid-November," I replied.
"How long have you been engaged?"
"Since the beginning of November," I answered.
"Hm," replied Ino.
I didn't say anything in reply to her 'hm'. If she meant something by it, I am sure she'd elaborate. We came up on the apartment building and Ino said,
"Wait you live with Shikamaru?"
I eyed her funnily. Then she said,
"Oh right, engaged. Slipped my mind," she said.
I thought nothing of it and led them up to Shikamaru's and my apartment. I unlocked the door and let everybody in. I beat the snow of my boots and slipped them off. Both Ino and Hinata followed in the suit.
"I can take your coats and put them in the bedroom," I said.
Ino handed me her coat and then took off down the hall, saying she needed to use the washroom. Hinata handed me her jacket and said,
"I am going to call Kurenai and Sakura."
I nodded and brought the coats and my bags to the bedroom. I dropped the bags beside the closet and threw the coats on the bed.
I stretched my arms over my head and decided if I was going to play hostess, I was going to do it comfortably. I went to my new clothes and pulled out an outfit.
I decided on the beige sweater I had gotten and a pair of jeans. I liked the sweater because it made me look less pregnant. Hopefully Ino wouldn't pick up on it, but seeing as she was a ninja, I highly doubt she wouldn't notice. I slipped my feet into slippers and went out to the living room.
Just before I reached my destination I heard Ino shout,
"You are pregnant!"
I flinched at the loudness of her voice. I took a deep breath and walked into the room.
"Holy crap Temari!" said Ino, still looking at Hinata. "Hinata is pregnant!"
"I know," I said. "And could you keep it down a bit Ino, we aren't the only ones in this apartment building."
"Sure th-"
Ino turned to see me standing there. Her jaw dropped.
"You're pregnant too!"
I flinched at the loudness of her voice again.
"No need to be so loud," I said to her.
She stood there in the middle of my living room just frozen in shock. The doorbell rang. I moved down the hall to go open the door.
I opened the door and was attacked by little Chiyo.
"Auntie Temari!" she screeched.
She ran forward and hugged my legs.
"Hello Chiyo."
"Hello Temari," said Kurenai, walking in and closing the door. "I see you finally broke down and went maternity clothes shopping."
I nodded and said,
"Even Shika's clothes were beginning to get tight."
"Auntie Temari! Auntie Temari!" called Chiyo, pulling on my pant leg.
"Yes Chiyo?" I asked.
"Can I watch the TV?"
I nodded down to her and said,
"But first, you need to take off your coat and boots."
Chiyo's coat and boots were off in whirl and she sped down the hallway. I laughed a little and bent to pick up her jacket from the floor. As I was straightening up I heard little Chiyo yell,
"Auntie Hina!"
I smiled and told Kurenai,
"I can take your jacket too," she handed it to me. "Everyone is in the living room."
We both walked down the hall. I walked to put the jackets away when the doorbell rang again.
"I'll get it!" yelled Chiyo.
When I got back to the living room Ino had sat down and didn't look as in shock as she had been. Sakura sat there too. Chiyo sat in front of the TV watching the discovery channel.
"So any special requests for lunch?"
*
Time skip cause I am too lazy to write an entire lunch scene
*
It was a lot quieter after Chiyo and Kurenai left. Apparently Chiyo had an art class to go to.
The rest of us had been chatting for what seemed like ages. It's good to have some girl time and whatnot, but I was starting to get fed up with the gossiping we were doing. Gossip had never been my cup of tea, I would rather talk strategy or something of more substantial value.
"Oh wow, look at the time! Ino-pig, we have to get to the hospital for our shifts. Tsunade will for sure have your head if you're late again," said Sakura.
I internally let out a sigh of relief. Finally! I stood up and said,
"I'll go grab your jackets."
I walked to my bedroom and grabbed the coats. Hinata had followed me and said,
"I think I am going to head out too."
I smiled and nodded my head. I handed her her jacket and then followed her down the hall to the front entrance. When I arrived, I gave Ino and Sakura there jackets.
Soon the three of them were off and out of my hair. I took a deep breath and walked back into Shikamaru's and my bedroom. I thought it'd be good to do some laundry, since I was in that good of a mood.
I grabbed all my new clothes and tore the tags off and threw them into their designated piles. Then I began going through the hampers. I came across the shirt that Shikamaru had been wearing before he hastily changed to leave on a mission. It instantly ruined my good mood.
././././.
I was so glad to finally be home, I thought as I walked through the Konaha gates. If I had to suffer through anymore of Neji and Tenten flirting, I think I would lose it. I signed in at the booth and started off towards home. Thankfully I wasn't captain on this mission, so I didn't have to write the report and deliver it to the Hokage. That was all Neji's job. I sighed in relief.
I walked slowly through the streets of Konaha. It was twilight, so the streets were all beginning to light up. I looked up to the sky to see the early stars starting to take their place in the sky. It was peaceful.
"Shikamaru!" called a voice.
I took my eyes from the sky and scanned the area for the origin of the voice. Then I located a blue-eyed blonde running towards me.
"Hey Ino," I replied. "What's up?"
She ran up to me and smiled. "Just got off work. You just get back?"
I nodded my head. She looped her arm through mine and then said,
"Then let's go get something to eat!"
I pulled my arm away from hers and replied,
"Maybe another time Ino."
I wanted to head home to see Temari, and I really didn't feel like dealing with my overly eccentric teammate. Ino grabbed my arm again and said,
"C'mon Shikamaru! Your slut can wait."
I pulled my arm away extremely fast and replied,
"What?"
"Oh wait, I mean your fiancé," said Ino, snatching back my arm.
"She's not a slut Ino," I said angrily.
"Oh sure she is. She's Prego and now you are marrying her because you pity her," snorted Ino.
I pulled my arm away from Ino and answered,
"I'm marrying her because I love her!"
"Ha, ya right," said Ino.
I snorted at Ino and said,
"How would you know? You don't know a thing about love. You think the mildest attraction can be considered love."
"I know enough about love!" exclaimed Ino.
"Of course you do," I replied. "Remind me again how many relationships you've been in?"
"More than you!"
"One date doesn't count as a relationship," I answered.
"Still more than you!"
"Uh huh, I totally believe you Ino."
"Geez! What has Temari done to you Shikamaru?"
"What has she done to you to make you so jealous?"
Ino opened her mouth to retort but nothing came out except some strangled noise from the back of her throat. I turned away from her and left her standing in the middle of the street, still trying to formulate a reply.
Thankfully I wasn't too far away from home. I walked at a faster pace than I had originally. I didn't want another confrontation before I made it home.
I was relieved when I reached my apartment. I quickly unlocked the door and walked in. I was about to call out that I was home, but I was stopped short when I heard the sounds of crying.
I quickly threw off my shoes and
dropped my bag and went in the direction of the noise. I rushed down the hallway and found Temari in the bedroom.
She was wrapped up in a quilt on the bed surrounded by what looked to be piles of laundry. I sped over to her and put my hand on her shoulder,
"Temari?"
She looked up at me, her eyes red a puffy. They widened in shock when the realization hit that it was me.
"What is it? Why are you crying?"
She wrapped her arms around me and pulled me close. She wept into the shoulder of my vest. I wrapped my arms around her waist.
"Temari, is everything okay?"
Temari half-laughed half-sobbed and looked up at me,
"Everything's fine, I am just so glad you're home."
"I'm back," I said and kissed her forehead. "I'm home."
AN:/ Holy crap, that was a lot of work. I am sorry it took so long to update, I have had some personal things that I needed to take care of. But Tadah!
Ino is really a bitch ...
Happy New Years and whatnot
I have no idea when I'll update next, but until then
Spaz Out!