I don't write weddings. They bore me. But at the reception and festivities, now that is another story.
I am getting busy with other writing duties so may end or at least leave this story be for a little while.
This particular story arc is also coming to a natural end I believe but we will see what happens. Just wanted to keep you up to date.
"You know, you actually dance very well for a lazy nin", Temari said softly into Shikamaru's ear as the two waltzed lightly across the dancefloor.
"You're not bad yourself", Shikamaru replied back as he noticed the watchful gaze of more than one pair of eyes.
When the two ninja had shown up at the wedding in matching outfits, hand and hand and without the usual discomfort and desire to hide their true feelings for each other, their friends and family had been very quick to congratulate them on the development of their relationship.
Shikamaru had been aware of more than a little attention directed their way ever since. Throughout the wedding and especially at the reception.
They had both tried to ignore it but it was starting to get troublesome. At least for Shikamaru who much preferred lurking in the familiar darkness of shadows.
Eventually the song came to an end and he drew his partner in for a kiss.
"Thank you for that dance, Temari", he breathed into her neck warmly.
"You are very welcome, Nara", she replied. Then more cheekily, "anytime!", giving him a playful slap on his ass.
"Temari! My mother is here!", Shikamaru protested a little too loudly, which earned a laugh from the blonde kunoichi.
"Well, it's not like I can do all the other things I want to do to you out on the dancefloor, now can I?", Temari whispered suggestively into his ear before peeling away with a mischevious smile and disappearing through the crowd.
"Troublesome woman!", Shikamaru muttered into the air as his dance partner left.
"Now now, Shikamaru!", Chouji exclaimed as he walked past hand in hand with Karui.
Then he felt Ino and Sai sneak up on him from the other side. "Yeah, Shikamaru. You gotta treat us blondes with respect!"
"Oh, leave me alone you guys!", Shikamaru exclaimed, escaping through the crowd himself to the sound of laughter.
"So, Shikamaru, a fine catch you got for yourself there", Kakashi said as the two hung out at the bar.
"Yeah, if you don't mind the trouble!", the younger ninja replied. It was good to hang out with someone else who understood the pleasures of being efficient and not having to run around all the time doing things.
"Well, you do know that there is only one way to win this thing right?", the other man said, giving Shikamaru a knowing look.
"Is that why you're still single then, Kakashi Sensei?", he retorted quickly.
"There are a lot of reasons that Kakashi Hatake is still single.
They both turned as Kurenai Sensei walked up to the bar.
"You look stunning as always", Kakashi quickly replied to cover up his surprise.
"Kurenai Sensei", Shikamaru said, greeting the newcomer with more respect.
"Boys!", the female kunochi exclaimed. "That's why I have to protect my daughter. Because you boys do not know a good thing when you see it."
"What do you mean, Kurenai Sensei?", Shikamaru asked. "Are you referring to Kakashi Sensei or to myself?" He was curious as to her opinion on the matter, especially in light of the recent developments in his own love life.
"Do you think Kakashi Hatake is simply single by choice? Everyone knows what a perv he is by the amount of time he spends reading those silly books of his. It's not like he is any stranger to women", Kurenai Sensei replied.
"No, he definitely isn't. And those smutty books of his! He's like a little Jiraiya!", Lady Tsunade exclaimed loudly, joining the conversation as though it were a fight.
"But we're not talking about Kakashi Sensei now. Right Shikamaru?", Kurenai said, looking directly at her late husband's student.
Suddenly, all three pairs of eyes were directed at Shikamaru and he was left with nowhere to run.
"Umm, what do you mean?", he uttered, trying to play innocent.
"Well, your poor mother must be expecting grandchildren from you at some stage, right, Shikamaru?", Lady Tsunade exclaimed loudly. "You've got to pass on the Nara name and all that, you know. If it were up to me, I'd be placing bets on it pretty soon!"
"But that's you, Tsunade-sama. You've been known to need little encouragement to throw your money away like that!", Kakashi replied, getting his own little dig in at the Sannin.
"Keep talking like that Kakashi and there won't need to be any bets placed on how long you stay awake at this function!", the now furious Sannin replied quickly.
"Calm down, you two", Kurenai Sensei interjected. "We were talking about Shikamaru. If you can't behave like responsible adults, I'll have to take the pair of you outside!"
"So Shikamaru", Kurenai Sensei said calmly, turning the attention back to the Shadow Ninja. "When are you two getting married?"
Shikamaru almost choked on his drink, only just managing to keep from spraying his companions.
"What do you mean?!", he protested, going bright red.
"You always were a genius weren't you, Shikamaru?", Lady Tsunade said with exasperation.
"Shikamaru, advisor to generations of Hokage, but not able to handle a woman!", Kakashi Sensei chimed in, laughing at him behind his mask.
The two kunoichi joined in the laughter as Shikamaru felt like disappearing beneath the bar.
Shikamaru came out of the bathroom and scanned the environment. Seeing that it was safe, he walked out trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. But no more than a few steps later he was caught by a slightly tipsy Naruto.
"Shikamaru Nara!", the Hokage loudly announced. "When is it going to be your turn to star at one of these things?", he added, slapping Shikamaru on the back.
"Naruto! Be careful, you might hurt him", Hinata said more quietly, walking up to join the two male ninja.
"Aww don't worry, Hinata dear. Shikamaru is a big boy now", Naruto added loudly. "Got himself a Sand ninja and all!"
"Yes, he and Temari san are now a couple but that doesn't mean you have to be so mean to him!", Hinata replied.
"I'm sure Mrs Nara wouldn't think I am being mean to her son. Nor that she should be the only one to hold that name, if you know what I mean!", Naruto continued undeterred, giving Shikamaru a playful elbow in the midsection. "I swear, we should start a betting pool with Grandma Tsunade. I'm sure there's quite a few people present who would love to be a part of it", Naruto teased.
"Naruto, I'm sure Shikamaru can take care of things by himself", Hinata said a bit more forcefully to her newly wedded husband. "I mean, he is your advisor. If he can look after someone like yourself..."
"Hey Hinata! I know we only just got married but that doesn't mean you can start to boss me around!", Naruto protested.
"Oh, really Naruto?", Hinata replied a bit more loudly. "I'm simply stating the truth that Shikamaru helps me look after YOU!"
"On second thoughts, don't get married Shikamaru!", Naruto said to the Shadow ninja. "You were right after all. Women are troublesome but even more so after you get married to them!"
The normally placid Lady Hinata suddenly looked like she was going to let her husband know how she felt and not just with her mouth. Shikamaru took that as his sign to leave.