Reading Writing and Singing
Shikamaru started making his way to the academy instructor's offices. He sat at a desk and started going over paperwork. This was just something that had to be done now that he had taken on more responsibilities. So he told himself to put up with the trouble that it caused.
In the world they were living in paperwork was a specialized field. A whole group of preservationist rose up in the post war era wanting to hold on to specific targets. Secrets passed down through the Nara clan for example, were a hot commodity for paperwork. These preservationist wanted everything in scrolls and in ledgers before technology completely changed things.
The offices were quite today many of the teachers were gearing up for the grueling exams of the second quarter. With the lack of actual field test teachers had to be creative. Times were changing and the lack of participation in the far more dangerous tests of old times made it harder on teachers.
Sensing someone's presence Shikamaru searched the room and found Karin off in a corner.
"Karin," he asked surprised that she would come here.
"I know I shouldn't be here but I am trying to find anything to help my case. The library would bring too much attention to me. I'm sorry I put you in this position," she said starting towards the exit.
"Wait a minute," Shikamaru called to her.
"Really I can't put you at risk with international affairs. You'll be a father soon. You should focus on your new family," she said.
"I can research a few things," Shikamaru offered halting her steps out the door. She turned around and he added, "Why risk so much for him?"
"I love him," she answered. It was also a reality she was used to slipping in and out of the village. Security measures have gotten a lot stricter so she couldn't come as often as she wished. She couldn't stay away from him and nothing would keep her away.
"It's troublesome but don't worry this will work out," Shikamaru said. He was one of the few that knew the truth about a two year old baby girl born outside of the village. That baby was Karin's whole world.
"Everyone has said that to me for so long I simply don't believe it anymore. At the same time nothing has happened so far. I am still here and no one has bothered with me," she said.
"I understand. I promise to bring over the research later on today," he said. It took him by surprise how much his relationship with Sasuke had grown over time.
"Once Naruto becomes Hokage it will not be this way will it?"
"No it won't." Shikamaru knew that any amnesty she felt could only be because of Naruto.
"I know you'll do everything to make sure that the village…this system changes. Everyone has been far too complacent in this post war period just because we are at peace," Karin said.
"Maybe we could talk more about these kinds of things with Naruto. It is the kind of thing he needs to hear headed towards that powerful position," Shikamaru said.
"Sure I'm really sorry to have bothered you Shikamaru. I should get going…you didn't see me," Karin said excusing herself.
Shikamaru watched as the redhead walked out the door and went back to his paperwork. Temari would be furious if he spent too much time in the offices when she had other plans. Besides that he wasn't exactly the type who had the energy to work on paperwork for long stretches of time.
Shikamaru sighed and went to work. He knew that if he finished what little work he had left he could concentrate on other things.
000
Karin didn't know Shikamaru as well as some of Sasuke's other friends. He was never rude or mean spirited towards her but he didn't exactly seem like the type that would be best friends with Sasuke. Karin did know Temari a little more and she got along fine with the woman. They were both from other villages so she knew how it felt to be a foreigner in a different land.
Leaving the academy she got the idea to make Okonomiyaki for dinner. For that she knew she needed to go shopping for some cabbage. She still had a small hope that Sasuke would be back soon from his mission. There were other people she could invite to dinner but she was really hoping to spend the night with Miyako and Sasuke as a family at dinner.
There were several vendors within the city walls selling vegetables and all the stuff she needed to make dinner. She knew she shouldn't but just once she longed to be normal. Up ahead of her was a clothing shop. It stood out like a beacon to her.
Karin ducked into the shop grabbed the hat and glasses that her eye fell upon and quickly paid the clerk at the counter avoiding any unnecessary chatter. Once away from view of everyone she put on the glasses and pushed her hair up into the hat. Catching her reflection from a shop window she was satisfied that she fit in properly with the other villagers.
The farmer's market wasn't far from where she was and she quickly went over her mental grocery list. There were things that were best purchased from a farmer's market and she couldn't wait to get her hand on some of the scented candles she knew the vendor would have in stock. Avoiding any unwanted attention she made her way though the village to the market.
Up ahead of her she spotted Hyuuga Hinata apparently having the same idea that she had. Nice time to visit the market, Karin thought. Her relationship with Hinata was almost no existent. Besides the Hyuuga clan being one of the reasons she had to stay away from the village there wasn't much else to her relationship with Hinata.
Like a ghost she passed the young woman without saying a word. Karin looked her right in the eyes but wearing glasses hid any recognizable features from Hinata. Hinata went on shopping without even uttering a polite hello.
As much as Karin wanted to make friends and hang around the village she decided against talking to Hinata and went straight for the vegetables. It was a nice day to people watch and she couldn't help observing the random families shopping for food. Karin stood contemplating involving herself in Hyuuga clan affairs until she was interrupted.
"Those have just been picked fresh from the garden," a medium built man wearing an apron said to Karin as he stocked vegetables.
"They look good," Karin replied still keeping a low profile she tried not to have too much small talk. Hinata was too far away so she dropped those plans.
"So what will it be," the man asked standing beside her.
"I'll take these and a few of those," Karin said pointing out the items she needed. The man followed after her bagging up the vegetables and packaging everything up neatly.
"Thank you for shopping please come back next time," the man said and handed her package to her.
"Thank you," Karin said and left with the groceries.
Towards the end of the market there were several suspicious characters hanging around. She made note of them and looked around for whoever was security in these parts. Snitching would only expose herself along with the suspicious crowd so she took another route and told one of the vendors who was all too eager to make a sell.
Karin quickly disappeared before the vendor reached the jounin with his report. At least with security distracted by the shady ones she saw at the market she wouldn't be harassed much leaving the village. Leaving the village was not as hard to do as entering. By the end of all this she figured she would be a great asset to Naruto on village security and the loopholes getting in and out of the village.
Once she was a safe distance from the village wall the scenery disappeared rather quickly. Tapping her foot from branch to branch she made it away from the village in no time at all. Expertly she avoided the traps and security points. She could sense others in the distance but they posed no threat to her. Harmless villagers, vendors and commerce agents milled around to and from the village.
For a moment she wished she were by Sasuke's side again. Traveling on the way to another village would be a great escape for her mind. The four of Team Taka back together again despite how much Suigetsu irritated her there was a kinship. Most of all she wanted Sasuke and she was getting her wish of staying by his side no matter what.
Karin is Sasuke's wife and that was something precious to him. It meant something to Sasuke that she was now his family. She knew what family meant to him. They both knew what it was to be an Uchiha and they were doing their best to make sure that Miyako was raised to be the kind of woman that escaped the curse of hatred.
Above all Karin was sure that this year things would change for her. She refused to keep playing a political game with her life. Moving through the forest her only thought was getting home and starting dinner.
In her head all the way home she could hear Sasuke sing their baby daughter to sleep. It was a precious memory to hold on to. It was a rare sigh to see Sasuke signing at all but to see him smile and carry his loved one in his arms with such abandon.
While Sasuke was out fighting the bad guy she was preparing their daughter a favorite meal of hers. Never in the past would she have thought she'd be so domesticated. That was why they had to find a permanent living situation. Right now they both preferred Kohona to start their new life.