Author's Note-So it's been a while once again, but school's out. Hopefully, I can get this finished by the end of summer. It may take longer than the last because I have a job this summer. Oh well. Onward to Chapter 6.

Disclaimer: Don't own it…

Chapter 6

The Akatsuki decided to stop being troublesome at least for a few months. I was walking through the village one day when I saw a woman that was only a little older than Yumi and I with her children. She had her little girl in her arms while her son held onto her leg and sucked his thumb. A man who I guessed was her husband walked up to her and kissed her. He picked up his son and smiled brightly at his wife. She smiled back and they walked off hand in hand.

For some reason, it struck something inside me. I pictured Yumi and I having a family of our own. I imagined her sitting on the floor in our apartment playing with a baby with wispy red hair and brown eyes. Before I knew it, my legs had taken me to the nearest jewelry store. I quickly picked out a ring. It was simple with a beautiful stone and a gold band. I was going to ask Yumi to marry me!

The next day, I went to Yumi's classroom with a plan forming. My students were busy with a test and I knew hers would be outside playing. She had her head bent over her desk so I snuck up behind her.

"Hey, Beautiful." She looked up at me and I kissed her, trying not to get down on my knee right then and there.

"What's up, Shika?" she asked. I perched myself on the edge of her desk and got ready to put my plan into action.

"Nothing really. I just wanted to know if you wanted to get some barbecue with a few people tonight. Sound good?" She sat there thinking about it for a moment.

"Sure. I've got some papers to grade but going out sounds fun. What time are we going?" I scratched the back of my neck nervously.

"Actually, I'll be there earlier to make sure it's okay with the owner to have all our people there. Do you still want to go?" I asked.

"Of course!" I smiled brighter than I ever had before. She stared at me with wide eyes and looked kind of freaked out.

"I'll see you at 8 then. I love you, Yumi." I gave her a deep kiss before I left, willing the rest of the day to go by quickly.

Everyone was at the restaurant and we were waiting on Yumi to arrive. I was having a deep conversation with my dad.

"Son, are you sure you're ready?" he asked. I nodded.

"I wouldn't be doing this if I weren't 100% sure I wanted to marry her," I replied. He smiled.

"She'll be a great addition to our family. And I'm sure Yumimaro feels the same about you." I heard the door open and turned around quickly.

"Yumi!" She walked up and smiled.

"Hi, Shika. Hello, Shikaku-san," she said. We smiled.

"It's been a while since I've seen you, Yumi. No need to be such a stranger," he replied. He pulled her into a big hug and she blushed a deep red. She turned back to me when he let her go.

"So what's with having all these people here? I thought you said a few people?" I felt my face get warm. Everyone sat down and got quiet as I got ready to talk.

"There's a reason why all these people are here. Yumi, we've been dating for about a year and we've been living together most of that time. Not to mention I've loved you since we were little kids." I got down on my knee and she gasped. "I love you and I always want to protect you. Will you marry me?" I asked as I pulled the ring out of my pocket. She started to cry as I waited for her answer.

"Yes. Of course I'll marry you, Shikamaru," she replied quietly. I stood up and wrapped my arms around her while everyone cheered. I kissed her and slid the ring on her finger.

"Free barbecue for the happy couple!" the owner shouted. Yumi laughed and leaned against my chest. We sat down at a table and started eating. Suddenly, the door opened and Shizune stood in the doorway with a list in her hands.

"Shikamaru and Shikaku Nara, Ino and Inoichi Yamanaka, Choji and Choza Akamichi, Yumimaro Tagawa, Asuma Sarutobi, Miroki Takahashi, Kokuru Sato, Jishiru Suzuki, Kiba Inuzuka, and Shino Aburame. You are being summoned to Lady Hokage's office," she announced.

"Yes, Shizune-san," we said as we stood. I noticed that Yumi stood up with us.

"What about me?" she asked. Shizune just stared.

"You are needed at the Academy. The Hokage does not require you," she answered. I turned to Yumi.

"It'll be all right. Just stay here and I'll see you later. I love you," I told her and then kissed her.

"I love you, too, Shika." After that I left with the others.

"I've gotten word that the Akatsuki may be on the move. I don't know if they plan to attack but we must be ready if they do. That's why I'm sending all of you. You're going to tail them for a month and if nothing happens half of you are going to report back here. The other half will stay longer. Do you understand?" the Hokage asked.

"Yes, Lady Tsunade!" we all answered. She nodded.

"Good. Now go home and you'll leave early tomorrow morning. Dismissed." We bowed and walked out the door. Just as I was getting ready to turn towards home, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned to see my dad behind me.

"Are you all right, son?" he asked. I sighed and rubbed the back of my neck.

"I'll be fine. What a drag though. I get engaged and I don't even get to spend any time with her," I replied.

"That's the life of a ninja, Shikamaru. I better get home to tell your mother we're leaving tomorrow. Go home. Spend at least a little time with Yumi." I nodded.

"Thanks, Dad. See you tomorrow," I said. He nodded and walked off. I sighed and headed home myself.

I walked into the apartment and found Yumi asleep on the couch with an open book in her lap. I gently pulled the book from her hands and returned it to the shelf. Then, I turned off the lamp and picked her up, accidently waking her up.

"Shika?" she asked me sleepily. I carried her to our room and laid her on the bed.

"Yeah, it's me. Try to go back to sleep," I answered. She stared up at me with sleep still clear in her eyes.

"You're gonna come to bed, right?" I nodded slowly.

"I'll be in bed in a minute. We'll talk in the morning before I leave." She sat up quickly.

"Leave? Why now?" she asked with a frantic edge to her voice.

"I told you we'll talk in the morning." I kissed her and gently forced her to lie back down. I stayed where I was till she fell asleep. Then, I got up to take a shower before I went to bed. I stood under the water until it turned cold. I finally got out and slid on some pants, not bothering with a shirt. I climbed into bed and Yumi rolled over to me immediately, almost as if we were made of magnets. I wrapped my arms around her and her body relaxed instantly. I buried my face in her hair and fell into a dreamless sleep.

I tried to slip out of bed without waking Yumi but it didn't work. Just as I was standing up to stretch, I heard Yumi's quiet yawn.

"Shika, are you leaving?" she asked quietly.

"I'm getting ready to go. But I wouldn't leave without explaining what's going on like I promised. I was just going to let you sleep longer," I replied.

"Oh, ok." I bent down and kissed her softly. "I'll go make us breakfast before you go," she added. She got up and left the room. I sighed and gathered up everything I needed after I got dressed. I walked out into the kitchen and Yumi was putting two bowls of rice on the table. I sat down and she sat across from me. "So what's going on?" she asked. I took a bite of my rice before I answered.

"The Akatsuki may be on the move. Lady Tsunade said that we'll tail them for a month and if nothing happens half of us will report back to her. I don't know for sure how long I'll be gone. It'll be at least a month," I explained. She frowned.

"Am I weak, Shikamaru?" she asked suddenly. I looked at her, confused.

"What?"

"Am I weak?"

"Of course not. What brought this up?" I asked. The slight anger in her eyes was unusual.

"If I'm not weak, then how come I haven't been on a mission in months? Finally something big comes along and I get told to stay in the village again! It's killing me, Shikamaru!" She stood up fast enough to knock her chair over. "Am I just supposed to sit here and worry every time you leave without me? For Kami's sake, I'm a ninja of the Hidden Leaf! Why can't I help protect my village?" I looked into her eyes as tears ran down her face. She started pacing around the kitchen. "Why won't they let me help?" She sank to her knees. "Why?" she whimpered. I walked over and knelt beside her. I cupped her chin in my hand and forced her to look at me.

"You are helping. You're bringing up another generation of ninja. Besides, I think Tsunade just doesn't want to find a sub for a sub." I wiped the tears from her cheeks. "Just remember that you are strong. You're one of the strongest people I know. I'm really sorry, but I've gotta go…" She sniffled once and smiled at me.

"I'll go to the gate with you," she said as she stood. I got up and we headed to the gate.