"Whoever isn't down here in five minutes is getting left behind!" Shikamaru shouted up the stairs, walking away towards the kitchen while fixing his tie.
It was an average Monday morning in the Nara household; well what had become average anyway. It had been six years since they left Tenten in the hospital, since the last time they saw her, and although it wasn't said that had been the hardest, most painful event that's happened to them, the effects still weighing heavily on everyone, especially Shikamaru.
Akio, now eleven, had gotten better with time, choosing to put more time and effort into his studies and sports than dwelling on thoughts of what could have been.
Ayaka seemed like a happy little girl. She danced, was brilliant and social, only ever unhappy at the mention of mothers. Although she had grown up with her grandma as her mother-figure, she still yearned to know the love and touch of her own mother. She had quickly realized that the topic was taboo in her home though. She always hated to see the pained look in her daddy's eyes when someone mentioned it, and Akio always put up a wall, as if trying to shield himself and his emotions. She hated seeing them like that, so she ignored her own curiosity to keep the smiles on their faces.
Shikamaru wasn't stupid. He knew how his children felt, what they did to try and make him feel better. There were days when it worked. When they made him so happy he forgot about all the sadness he felt. But when the moments of pride pass, he's left thinking, wishing that she would have been there to share it with him. He'd long since given up on ever seeing her again. He'd given up on those dreams, killed his desires.
The only thing he still felt was anger. Anger because she left him, because he had to do this all on his own. Anger at himself for not being able to save her, for having to leave her. Anger that his children had to go through what they did, that they no longer had a mother. And regret, because no matter how hard he tried he constantly wondered what if?
"Daddy what about my hair?!" Ayaka shouted, running down the stairs dressed and ready, with the exception of her wild hair. She carried a brush, comb and scruchies and stood infront of her dad fidgeting anxiously.
Shika sighed before picking her up and seating her on the counter.
He took the comb first, gently untangling her hair as she hummed quietly. Mindful of the time he quickly brushed her long brown hair into a neat bun, using her favorite pink glittery scrunchie to hold it in place.
When he'd finished her took the comb and brush and rested them on a small table in the living room. Grabbing his briefcase and Ayaka's hand he lead her towards the door.
"Aki, we're leaving!"
"Coming!" Aki said, running with his backpack down the stairs and after his father.
Shika rolled his eyes as Aki lifted Aka-chan and ran with her towards the car.
He locked up after them, walked to the car and after making sure everyone was buckled in and they weren't leaving anything, he sped off down the road.
They pulled up to the school soon enough. Aki will never understand how his laidback, lazy father could drive so freaking fast!
They gathered their stuff and left the car, luckily with all their limbs intact.
"New record! You took 2mins more than usual! You're really warming up to this slow driving thing aren't you daddy?"
Shika growled, much to the amusement of his children, but said nothing.
"Come on Aka-chan, I have to walk you to your class."
"Aki, I'm working late tonight, so you know what that means?"
"Yea daddy, I'll take Aka-chan to grandma's."
"Good boy," He opened his car door and stepped out, holding his arms out to them. "Now come here you two."
They ran to him and embraced him tightly, smiling and giggling when he tickled them.
"I love you guys."
"I love you too daddy!" they said at once before running off in the direction of Ayaka's classroom.
xXx
When Shika arrived in the office that morning he was bombarded with 'hello's and 'good morning's from basically everyone, especially women, he passed. It was no secret that he was one of the top executives of Global Enterprises and was very single. Had it not been for his very obvious intellectual capacity, many would think he reached his high status solely because of his looks and popularity.
"I see you still haven't warmed up to your fanclub." Said a voice from behind him, and Shika didn't have to turn to see Naruto bounding over to him.
The blonde was his longtime friend and head of the marketing department. Usually his prey of choice was his best friend Sasuke, head of advertising, but it seems that this morning he had his sights set on the Nara.
"Morning Naruto."
"No smiles? It's a wonder so many people even like your monotone ass."
"It's bizarre to me too."
"Anyway Mr. Moody-pants, we have a meeting! If you can't smile, at least get your game face on!"
Shikamaru rolled his eyes and sighed as Naruto lead him into the elevator.
"Troublesome" was all he could mutter as the doors slid shut.