Party Planning

Shikamaru finished reading a scroll and tied it shut placing it with the others in his home. His library was quite extensive although he was too lazy to catch up reading it all. There would always be an inquisitive student to challenge him and he had to know what he taught.

"Guess who wants to come to our party," Temari said gaining Shikamaru's attention.

"Gaara, why," Shikamaru asked thinking he would definitely be too busy to make time for a party all the way in Konoha.

"It's all so much," Temari said sitting down on the couch," I welcome him of course it is just a lot to think about."

"Of course you are family so it shouldn't be too much of a surprise that he'd want to come. This is just the first time I've seen you stress about a party like this," he said.

Shikamaru walked over to the couch taking the seat next to her. He knew Gaara and his siblings fairly well. The three siblings of Sunagakure spent a lot of time working with educators in Konohagakure. His encounters with the Kazekage were slim now with Temari acting as the emissary and Gaara busy with the village. Gaara coming to Konoha for a party just didn't seem likely.

"Naturally Kankuro will be one of Gaara's bodyguards," Temari said.

"What about Matsuri," Shikamaru asked. Matsuri married Gaara not long ago making her a part of Shikamaru's family. Matsuri was a teammate of Temari's and Temari seemed to enjoy visiting the village often. The two Suna Kunoichi were constantly hanging out in Konoha oftentimes with Team Ten.

"She was already coming," Temari said.

"Mendokuse…Gaara is coming because Matsuri as much as for you," Shikamaru said.

"Oh…no…maybe…Of course," Temari exclaimed.

"When you spend time with someone things happen," Shikamaru said.

This was true enough for him. During the rebuilding of Konoha Temari went there to help assist the village. Shikamaru was familiar with the Kunoichi because of her help at the academy. Temari volunteered her time cooking for all the builders and contractors entrusted to rebuild the village. Temari helped when the food lines became unruly. Since that day they fought against each other they became fast friends.

"We could be wrong. I'm sure Gaara would let us know if he were ready to be a father already," Shikamaru reasoned.

"I know," Temari said leaning on him, "I seem stressed and I really didn't want to have such a big party but things just grew beyond my control really. There are just so many people around us with babies. Can you believe it…I just returned and there were so many…nevermind. Maybe I just recognized it more since all that has happened lately."

"You don't have to be involved with the planning so why not step away from this," Shikamaru asked.

She looked at him as if he grew a third eye and he let it drop.

"Oh and I managed to discover yet another couple in Konoha. I'm starting to think there is something in the water here," she said.

Shikamaru smiled and pulled her legs up in his lap.

"Whatever is in the water; I'm thankful for it. I really love you, Temari," he said.

"I love you," she said.

They shared a loving kiss the kind she took advantage of. The atmosphere was very romantic as of late. Love was definitely in the air in the village and she couldn't be happier. Perhaps it had something to do with her pregnancy hormones she really didn't know.

"What else have you been up to lately," she asked.

"Archives…It brought back memories…Orochimaru's invasion…that day hurt so many. I was helping Karin research something about the Uchiha clan," he said.

"I am sad by our part in it," Temari said regarding the invasion. She began cuddling up to him.

"Sandaime," Shikamaru said stroking Temari's hair, "he would have loved seeing everyone so happy now. The bridges that Suna has built with Konoha are stronger than ever so let's focus on the future we can shape and not the past that we didn't create."

That grin was back on Shikamaru's face. It made Temari smile. Even as they were talking about such a heavy subject they could look back and find peace.

"We were all so much like his children. He would be so proud of the relationship that we've built with Suna. How well you fit in this village," Shikamaru said looking into her eyes.

"Proud of Naruto is more like it. I'm no village hero but you'll be a part of something great Shikamaru," Temari said.

Naruto was the village hero now. It wouldn't be long before Kakashi stepped down and there was no better candidate than his former student the troublemaking blonde. Temari was right he would be there right by Naruto's side.

For now those thoughts took a second to the thought that he would soon become a father. Tears of joy flooded his eyes. He buried his face in her embrace and they held each other that way for a long while.

000

Temari had fallen asleep in Shikamaru's arms. She was completely at peace and he didn't want to move to wake her so he just covered them both with the blanket and sat there watching her face. He was tired just pleased that his wife was finally getting a good night sleep after all the restless nights. At one point they were ready to send her to Suna to have their child a place the Nightmare Jutsu had no effect.

Shikamaru waited as trial after trial failed to work against the Nightmare Jutsu. When Temari returned from Suna the research teams found that Sakura's plans were mildly successful against the Jutsu. That research gave Shikamaru his first peaceful nights with his wife. For now the enemy had simply stopped attacking.

She looked so comfortable and peaceful that he wouldn't bother her. He watched as she blinked her eyes and came to. It must have been early morning he couldn't see the clock.

"How long was I out," Temari asked.

"Hours," Shikamaru said and took the opportunity to stretch out his arm and get the blood flowing.

"You had guard duty or something right," Temari asked.

"No they didn't need me," Shikamaru said. There was a prisoner being brought in and they wanted to use the Shadow binding method to detain him for a while. Shikamaru passed that duty on to a fellow Nara Shinobi so he could spend time with his wife.

"Someone's quite active want to feel," Temari asked taking Shikamaru's hand and placing it on her rounded belly.

"Wow," Shikamaru said and smiled surprised at the bumps and feelings in his hand.

"Almost too active to be yours…or mine at this hour don't you think," Temari said and laughed.

"Mendokuse," Shikamaru said and sighed.

"This has been the first time in a long while since I haven't been attacked by that Jutsu. You think that maybe the baby is happy because of that," Temari asked.

"I don't know. Could be," Shikamaru said.

"You know the baby did put on quite a show for Gaara. You should have seen the way he looked. My brother smiled in a way I've never seen him before," Temari said smiling.

"That is why the party will be worth it. To see all the smiles on everyone's faces," Shikamaru said and smiled.

Temari pulled him close and kissed him. Today was a happy morning as happy as any they had in a long while.