A/N: Y'all really came through with the reviews! I didn't want to make you all wait this long but...I really messed up… I typed out a full chapter that isn't supposed to happen for a very, very long time. I was rewatching Naruto: Shippuden, and got way ahead of myself. I'm so sorry I was so late with this chapter. I'll make it up to you guys! (;

!WARNING! WRITING THIS AWKWARD FIRST TIME SEX SCENE IS WHAT WAS TIME CONSUMING. SORRY AGAIN FOR THE WAIT!

Thank you for the favorites and/or follows: Nube2013 and kayna96

Welcome Home

*Kabocha POV*

"Do you want us to handle it, cousin?" Rai asked in an uncharacteristically sad voice. I gave a slight shake of my head, not having the strength to give much more.

"Why wouldn't he tell you himself?" Shosha also asked quietly. "Are we even allowed to be here?" He continued, more talking to himself, that time, than anyone else.

"We don't have to stay and watch this, Bo." Kina told me comfortingly, ghosting her hand over my lower back.

The support of my family was all around me, but all I felt was numbness watching them together on that roof. Is this what he would have felt if he knew I sat on the roof and talked with Gaara all those years ago? He didn't even react well to me and Naruto being close.

What would make him think this was okay?

"I should snap his fucking neck." Shosha muttered to Gin. "Don't." I rasped out, watching all of them flinch out of the corner of my eye.

"I did not see him at the funeral…" Ryu's deep voice rumbled from right behind me.

"Yeah, because he's here entertaining this bitch." Gin growled a little too loudly making the couple glance in our direction briefly.

"You all can go home...he's my boyfriend. I'll handle it by myself. Thank you all." I told them, continuing to stare at the roof from the shadows that embraced us.

"I can stay-"

"I said go home." I put a little extra volume to my command. Kina snapped her mouth shut and nodded her head with a frown. All five of them melted into the shadows, leaving me alone. I don't know how long I waited for him to finally go home, and then I waited some more. I waited until the sun had long went down before I began to make my way to the Nara residence.

I rapped my knuckles lightly on the door, in a rhythmic fashion that I always used when I visited. It had been three and a half years, so I wondered if they-

"Kabocha…" The door swung open faster than I could finish my signature knock. Shikamaru's mother looked exactly the same from the last time I saw her. She whispered my name in almost disbelief.

"Yeah, it's me, Yoshino-kaa."

*Normal POV*

She had changed so much since her time away was Yoshino's first thought. Her curly orange hair sat right at her shoulders, she was far taller than she remembered maybe around 5'11. Her voice was also deep, but not manly, just deep like chocolate or even silk; she now had an accent that made her words kind of run together, but definitely not in bad way.

She wore an impressive, black dress. It showcased her right arm, that was now covered in some type of markings. Her left arm was covered by the only sleeve of her dress, black gloves was on both of her hands. Yoshino could also tell that the dress was backless; flowing into a slight train the back. Yoshino also noticed that her entire body was almost covered in a ghosting of scars. What was strange was her bare feet. Overall, she was still and always would be a beautifully, magnificent sight.

"You're so grown up." Yoshino told the woman she considered a daughter from behind her hand. She could barely see her now through her tears. Kabocha tilted her head to the left, with a ghost of a smile, a habit she picked up from one of the many dragons at the volcano.

"I couldn't stay little forever, Ma." Yoshino's breath hitch at what she called her. She was touched at the title, thinking deeply about what must have changed her.

"Did Shikamaru-"

"No. Naruto reached out to me...I was hidden at the funeral today. However, I'm pretty sure the Hokage must have some inkling that I'm here because of the barrier breach." Yoshino nodded, her mouth snapping shut upon Kabocha's changed tone at Shikamaru's name.

"I see...you must know then."

"You would be correct." Kabocha told her, intense golden eyes staring her mother figure down. They had traded many letters back and forth over the last three and a half years, and Yoshino had only mentioned one incident about Shikamaru that concerned her. Of coarse, the concern surrounding the female of the sand siblings.

"Is he here?" Kabocha asked out of courtesy, she could smell him already, even hear his heartbeat pound wildly.

"Yes, he is in the shogi room with his father. I'm sure they will be happy to see you." Kabocha knew why she tacked on the last bit of her statement. Yoshino was trying to reassure her that Shikamaru would receive her warmly, but what she didn't know...was that Kabocha was anything but warm for once. So...she flashed her a convincing smile that put her at ease. Kabocha could visibly see Yoshino relax, but Kabocha's new attribute was...disarming to say the least.

"I'm sure you still know your way." Yoshino motioned for Kabocha to go on ahead. Kabocha nodded, keeping her smile in place. Kabocha breezed past the older woman, Yoshino taking notice of her fluid motions. Yoshino may not have been a ninja, but she could definitely see the difference in the way Kabocha moved and carried herself.

The moon was the only light provided as Kabocha strolled to the shogi room, stopping dead in her tracks to stare at the man that was more of a father than her own. He was facing her, looking as if he had just left the room. He regarded her from head to toe, realizing that she was only two inches shy of his full height. He also noticed that she looked startled upon seeing him.

"Kabocha…" Shikaku said, almost as if he was speaking to a cornered animal. He watched her features relaxed into a calm mask. "Shikaku-sama." Kabocha called out quietly with another ghost smile.

Shikaku met her the rest of the way, wrapping his arms around the tall woman. She hugged him back hesitantly, forgetting what an affectionate touch was in her three years away. She briefly thought about why Yoshino didn't hug her upon seeing her. Then, she realized that she was too shocked to even comprehend her return fully.

"I know you are angry…." Kabocha tensed up violently at his blunt statement, however, she shouldn't even be surprised considering this man had watched her grow up. Just because he missed three and a half years of her life didn't mean he forgot her mannerisms.

"You have every right to be angry….just….try to be gentle with him….to a degree." Shikaku chose his words carefully, and he knew he chose correctly when he felt her relax again.

"You have my word." Kabocha didn't need to be told twice. She had already changed her tactics as soon as she smelled salt, and heard a masculine wail. She had never heard him cry so feverently, and the large part of her heart that loved him kept telling her to forget her hurt and his betrayal. However, the very blood running through her veins would not allow it; the anger she felt was hard to subdue, but she was going to try...for his sake.

"I will not be angered by however you choose to proceed. Just know that I am proud of how much you have grown...literally." Shikaku pulled away from Kabocha, leaving his hands on her shoulders. He gave her a smile that she found handsome, and realized it was because he looked so much like Shikamaru.

Startled by that revelation, Kabocha gave the older man a tiny, real smile. "Thank you...Shikaku-sama." Shikaku nodded at her, and continued on his way to find his wife. He was sure that he would come back and check on the young couple in a bit.

Kabocha didn't bother watching him go. She stood almost statuesque, thinking about what she was going to do when she saw him.

Would she scream?

Would they kiss?

Would he want to be held?

Should she hit him? Maybe..slap him.

Kabocha's bare feet carried her to the sliding door, she could see his silhouette crouching in almost a ball thanks to the cloudless sky. She raised her hand slowly, sliding the door open a crack, gliding inside, and shutting the door behind her.

The smell of salt was the very first thing she smelled, it was now almost overwhelming her sensitive nose. He was mourning his sensei, something that she saw him do earlier minus the tears and added female company.

"Shikamaru." His name left her mouth almost inaudibly, but sounded loud in the quiet room. She watched his entire body seize up in trepidation.

"Go away." His voice was broken, and Kabocha felt her resolve almost shatter. However, she could hear her heartbeat drum loudly in her ears as her anger at him heightened to a level she wasn't accustomed to where he was involved.

"Is that how you speak to your girlfriend after not seeing her for three and a half years." The sentence barely left Kabocha's mouth as Shikamaru sat up, ramrod straight.

"Kabo-"

"Correct." Shikamaru visibly flinched in his fragile state, but Kabocha did not back down. "I would ask how you are since I haven't heard from you in three months, but I can see exactly how you are feeling…" Kabocha watched him carefully as he stood to his feet. His entire posture screaming defeat.

"Listen, I-"

"-was with Temari Sabaku and too busy to answer me...yes I know. You were even too busy to contact me to tell me your sensei died, but I'm sure you let the sand bitch know." Kabocha was still calm until the next statement that came out of Shikamaru's mouth sent her psyche tumbling into an almost blinding rage.

"You were supposed to be gone for another month. You said see you in four months in your last letter, I didn't want to distract you from what you were trying to achieve. You also don't have to call Temari that."

Kabocha felt it when it happened..it almost felt like a physical pain. It felt like someone broke her arm, but she felt it in her chest area. It was almost painful enough to feel like when Gaara died except there wasn't a burning sensation that followed this pain.

"I will call her whatever I see fit!" Kabocha's voice had taken on a tone he had never heard. He regarded her defensive posture quietly. She really did look amazing, and the dress she was wearing really wasn't helping his thoughts….it had been too long.

"Fair enough." Shikamaru said trying to appease her. Kabocha tilted her head to the left, astounded by his audacity to try and patronize her.

"I attended Asuma Sarutobi's funeral, and I didn't see you there. Where were you?" Shikamaru hesitated for several moments...too long in Kabocha's fury covered gaze. "I won't ask again, Shikamaru Nara."

Shikamaru seemed to stopped hesitating and just ceased all movement to stare at her; never had she used his full name. When she first entered the room she used his full name, but he didn't think anything of it since she hadn't seen him in a while.

He was now taking a moment to gaze at more than just the dress she was wearing. She stood tall, the very same height that he was. Her stance had also changed from defensive to offensive. She was more than a little angry, he didn't have to be a genius to see that; studying her made his next answer come out of his mouth.

"I was sitting on a roof...I even wandered the village for a little while. I was alon-" Kabocha didn't even let him finish, she didn't even realize what she had done until he was already flat on his ass in front of her fuming form.

"If you're willing to lie to me then what you have with her is more serious than I thought." Shikamaru looked up at her stunned as she calmly waved her hand in front of her face to clear the smoke that had risen from her mouth.

"I love you." Kabocha twitched at hearing the barely audible words he uttered.

She lowered down to a squatting position, thanking the dragons that she wore boy shorts underneath the dress."You don't know the meaning of those words." There was more venom in that statement than Shikamaru had ever heard. She looked relaxed, but her curled fingers on her knees said otherwise.

Now, it was Kabocha's turn to be stunned. She was on her back faster than her enhanced vision could comprehend, each hand pinned on either side of her face. Unknowing to him that his aggression made her bloodline trait sing. Shikamaru stared down at her with so much lust she could almost taste it, she could see that his pupils had dilated as well.

"Get off-"

"Shut up, Kami, you're so troublesome." Kabocha had to suppress a full body shiver at hearing his deepened voice, she was also impressed by his ability to take her down. She attempted to even out her breathing, but he was making it hard from his comfortable position between her legs. The dress had ridden all the way past her hips.

"Is that why you spend all of your time with her...because she isn't troublesome...because you know what she's human." Kabocha felt her heart skip a beat looking at the smirk form on his handsome face.

"No...that's not why I spend my time with her. All women are troublesome however…" He leaned down, watching as she struggled to keep up her anger and beat down her need for him. "You're my woman so you being troublesome doesn't bother me." He breathed on her lips making Kabocha sneer, she made a point to bare her lengthened canines.

"I'm nothing to you now-"

"Have I told you I'm enjoying your new accent, yet? Your voice has also matured...it's really...alluring." Shikamaru cut her off, pulling back to look at her stunned face.

"Stop that, Shika-"

"No, it's Maru-kun to you...always." He brushed his thumb over her full bottom lip, taking notice of the light gloss on them.

"If you interrupt me again I'm going to disembowel you." Kabocha growled and felt frustration stir in her stomach because of his, now, calm heartbeat. His entire demeanor had changed from early. He was sad and flighty not even fifteen minutes ago, now his focus seemed to have shifted to his desire for her. He also didn't seem to bothered by her threat.

"You're convinced that I would cheat on you." Kabocha's look told him more than he wanted to know.

"I saw you with her today, sitting on that roof. That was already too much. You were with her at your most vulnerable. You didn't even tell me that your sensei died..Naruto reached out to me for your benefit not knowing that you already had a female to support you. I have no intentions of carrying on this relationship with you. That sand bitch is who have grown close to in my absence then so be it. Let me up, Shikamaru."

Shikamaru waited patiently above her for her to finish. He still remained calm, not at all phased by her declaration of a break up. He had already made up his mind while she was waiting for a reply from him earlier...made up his mind about what he was going to do about her and how he was going to avenge Asuma. He was going to work on the second part of his plan using the strewn about shogi pieces after he was done with Kabocha.

"You're not going to break up with me because you love me. I don't need to hear your heartbeat to know that you do. I have never cheated on you...listen close to my heart." Kabocha did just that, listened to his heartbeat as he told her again that he didn't cheat on her.

"You may not see it as cheating, so your heartbeat is steady. However-"

"Don't disembowel me for interrupting you again." Kabocha glared at him making him chuckle. "I know what I did, and I didn't cheat on you. Lady Tsunade has put me in charge of chunin exams twice now, and I have to coordinate with her. You also didn't deny that you loved me."

Kabocha wore a full blown scowl at his last statement. "My love for you isn't enough. You have something- what the hell do you think your doing!?" Kabocha shrieked in an octave that they both weren't expecting. She shrieked because of the now shirtless Shikamaru.

"We're talking in circles, Kabocha." Shikamaru told her noticing that she was speechless as she struggled to keep her eyes on his face. "I'm going to show you just how much I love you," with every word that left his mouth, Kabocha's eyes grew in size.

"Y-you wouldn't. Your sensei just died, Shikamaru. Your parents-"

"I know, Kabocha, I was there. My parents are asleep." Kabocha felt her heart break for him.

"You were there with him when he died." He watched her gaze soften as she stared up at him, his eyes bounced around her older, beautiful face.

"Yeah…" Shikamaru whispered tracing her bottom lip again. "I love you so much." He kept his tone and volume the same professing his love for her.

"Say it…" Kabocha watched him as well, not needing to hear the rest of what he was asking her to say.

"You know I love you." Shikamaru kissed her with more passion than either of them had experienced.

Shikamaru's hand that was tracing her lip moved to grasp her chin, his other hand keeping his body from touching hers. Kabocha moved her free hand to the back of his neck, deepening their heated kiss.

Shikamaru pulled away slightly so that his lips ghosted over her own. He moved his hand from her chin to her naked hip, running his hand under her dress to cup her breast over the tight leather binding. Kabocha immediately arched off of the floor at his bold action, his toned body pressing against hers.

"Don't be too loud." He uttered from his new position beside her ear. She was turning into a puddle of lust and forgotten anger. Everything felt so sensual, and it had been way too long. Kabocha moved her free hand from the back of his neck to his lower back, adding pressure so that his hips ground into her center.

He ran his hand down her torso slowly, feeling every curve of her impressive abdomen. Shikamaru hooked his finger into her boy shorts on the way down, pulling them right off. It was the first time he was seeing her naked below the waist outside of his dreams.

Kabocha raised her free hand from his lower back to her mouth, she pulled her leather gloves off with her teeth and tossed it away. She moved her trapped hand indicating that she wanted him to release it, and he did so that he could get to work on her dress.

It was a flurry of limbs from that point on. Kabocha hadn't even realized that she raised up so that he could slip the dress over her head, followed by the leather holding her breast in place. She was briefly scared about what he thought about her left arm since it was the first time he was up close and personal with the scaley limb. That inkling of fear left as soon as he freely brushed his hand over the scales, loving the smooth feeling and shiney color. It was a part of her and he loved every last scale.

She moved his shirt over his head with renewed enthusiasm, Shikamaru leaning up to pull it off the rest of the way. Kabocha almost wheezed at seeing his impressive physique; for a lazy man he sure didn't look like it. He had grown in height, skill, and muscle mass much like she had. She wasted no time in touching his bare chest, torso, and back. She had a fascination with his muscled back and torso.

Kabocha used her willpower to stop touching him to work at getting his pants off. She was naked, and he was taking full advantage, she wanted him to be naked as well. She yanked his pants down, and he helped her ease his boxers down with them.

He finally came closer, caging her in by being on his elbows by her head. He lowered his head to take an erect nipple into his mouth, Kabocha immediately gasped for air. She raised her legs, rocking her hips to get some form of friction. She was already getting wet from all of the stimulation he was providing, switching back and forward between her nipples.

Shikamaru felt how wet she was against his groin, his erection becoming almost painful. He brought one of his hands down, keeping his mouth in place, and pressed his thumb against her clit. She arched her back off of the floor and right into him. He loved the reaction he received, thrilled that he was able to break her composure down. He slipped his thumb into her tight, wet opening making her cry out. Shikamaru promptly brought his free hand up to cover her mouth.

"They might be sleep, but they're not completely oblivious." Shikamaru took a moment to whisper in her ear, but never stopping the pumping motions he was doing with his finger. He even removed his thumb in favor of adding his index and middle finger.

"Mmmph!" Kabocha screamed behind his hand, squeezing her eyes shut in pleasure. Shikamaru removed his hand altogether, lowering his entire body until he was eye level with her dripping cunt. He didn't hesitate in darting his tongue out to taste her, Kabocha yelped loudly at the strange yet not unwanted sensation. He pushed his tongue past her lips, using his nose to stimulate her clit.

Kabocha used her right hand to cover her mouth, her left hand claws scratching the floor. Her toes curled against the floor, spreading her legs further to keep from slamming them shut. Her first orgasm came quick and violent; she was so unprepared for it having never experienced anything like it. She panted heavily trying to gather her bearings, but Shikamaru was already moving to be face to face with her again.

"I love you...and this is going to hurt. Just know that I would never hurt you intentionally." Shikamaru told her cupping her cheek and Kabocha nodded already with tears in her eyes from how sincere he was being.

"I love you too." Kabocha said almost inaudibly, choked up from hearing his confession After hearing her say his favorite words that she could ever utter, he began to ease inside of her. He released a shuddering breath at how incredibly warm she was. He was also glad that he took the time to prepare her because she was tight, tighter than he thought could be possible.

Kabocha refused to shed a single tear in pain, even though she was experiencing a pain like no other. She had had her skin burned off more times than she could count, and she had cried out but she never cried. She went through physical torture trials and she didn't break. The pain that she was experiencing between her legs almost made her cr; the tearing of her hymen was almost her undoing. It also wasn't helping that Shikamaru was well endowed.

Once he was fully inside of her, he was struggling to stay still and not cum prematurely. He had watched her fight tears, and try to hide a flinch. She took in a deep breath and asked him to move slowly; he followed her instructions wanting to move at her pace.

"Faster." The pain quickly edged away to pleasure for Kabocha, and Shikamaru happily obliged. He rocked his hips faster but kept his thrusts gentle.

"Harder." Kabocha growled, and once again Shikamaru did as she asked. He shifted his hips, pulling all the way out to slam back into her. He lifted one of her legs over his shoulder, securing her other leg around his waist. He watched her mouth dropped open in a mute cry, she threw her head back exposing her neck to him. The harsh thrust of his hips making her breasts bounce enticingly. She was such a beautiful sight, and it was taking everything inside of him not cum before her.

Shikamaru moved his hand away from gripping her hip to rubbing her clit. Kabocha moved her hand back to covering her mouth moaning loudly as electric currents of pleasure shot up through her torso and down into her toes making them curl. The hand that was on the floor dug further into the wood scarring it. She didn't want to lose control and scratch him by mistake, so she made sure that her hands stayed away from him.

Until, he angled her hips up to pound into her core having found the button that would make her scream: her g-spot. The hand covering her mouth left to grab his lower back. Tears blurred her vision at how good she was feeling.

"Dragons! Shikamaru, please!" Shikamaru watched her unravel completely underneath him as he groaned right along with her. However, he was doing a better job at controlling his volume.

"You will never have to beg...just tell me what you need." Shikamaru grunted as he felt his own climax coming fast.

"I...I think I'm cumming." Kabocha moaned loudly making Shikamaru smile down at her.

"Okay...cum with me, Kabocha." That was all it took, hearing him grunt her name.

"Maru-kun!" Kabocha screamed with no barrier to muffle her scream, a few tears escaping from her eyes. Shikamaru came right after, spilling deep inside making Kabocha shiver violently from the pleasant feeling of his hot seed inside of her. Her canines lengthened even further, if Shikamaru hadn't kissed her right then she would have bit him to claim him. She was tired and grateful for his unintentional blocking of her almost biting him. She still had a few things to figure out where they were concerned.

She was more emotionally tired than anything else, her eyes flutter closed in exhaustion. She didn't even notice Shikamaru pulling out of her slowly and going around the room collecting their clothes. He also collected the scattered shogi pieces, set them out on the board in a strategic manner for tomorrow's plan.

The following morning Kabocha found herself alone and covered by a blanket, her clothes in a neat pile right beside her. She sat up, ignoring the ache in between her thighs in favor of putting her clothes on...slowly. A note fell onto the floor after she shifted her dress into place, she picked up reading the note with a smirk.

"I hope you don't plan on leaving again before I get back. I'll come to your village and get you back this time...no matter how much of a drag that would be. I will be returning to the village sometime tonight or even tomorrow morning. I love you.

Signed: Maru-kun"

Kabocha rolled her eyes, tucking the note into her breast binder. She didn't want to leave the room and run into his parents. She wasn't in the mood to have that talk today, so she held two fingers in front of her chest for the signature fire transportation jutsu. The image of the Nara shogi room blurred into the hotel room she was sharing with Kina, but upon her return she noticed she was gone. Either she returned to the village, or she spent the night in Shosha's room.

She went to the bathroom to shower and change into her new battle attire. She wore a mesh one piece leaving her legs bare under a black, silk kimono that fell off of her shoulders. The kimono was lined in gold, and the large obi was gold as well. The last item she put on before leaving was her plate shoes. They were basically just a metal plate on the bottom of her foot that was being held in place by a single gold strap.

She didn't know how her meeting was going to go, so she wanted to be prepared. Kabocha performed the hand sign again disappearing in a flurry of flames and reappearing in the office of the one person that probably despised her more than Temari.

"Good morning...Lady Tsunade."

Guest: Thank you for the review, beautiful guest! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you! I have no intentions of ever stopping this story. Your review was encouraging, I'm happy you're enjoying the story so far! Stay tuned for more Shikoba!

Dani66: There's a lot going to be coming to them both! A lot of blow ups are going to happen before it even get remotely calm around here. Thanks for the review, always a pleasure to hear from you! Stay tuned!

Crazy Devil Girl: Hey, Girl, it's great to hear from you! You witnessed the polite Kabocha; her saying she doesn't mind marrying them is just so she isn't being rude…!SPOILER ALERT! maybe not so much towards Gaara. ;) I'm ecstatic that you recognized every little change in the letters, it was so much work! :') I hope you're ready for when she sees Sasuke again...you're not gonna want to miss that.

Pmann1: Thank you so much for the review! Your review literally made me smile, it's great to be back! I hope you're ready for all of the crazy confrontations! Temari will be hanging around quite a bit around here. I'll be giving a tension break for Valentine's day so don't worry. ;) Thanks again for the review, it really meant a lot! Stay tuned!

Deviliciouskitty: Omg, Kitty, your long reviews give me life! Happy holidays to you too! I'm sorry to scare you, I'm never going to quit this story! I can't tell you how happy I am that I'm hitting everyone's personalities (no matter how hard they are). I could cry from how much you paid attention to the letters. Yes, your inquiry about Kabocha telling Gaara info about herself before she told Shikamaru did make sense lol. I'm so sorry about all of the coming confrontation. You'll be getting a little relief with the Valentine's Day special. !SPOILER ALERT! You will be getting a little of both of the Gaara and Shikamaru situations you mentioned. I can't wait to see what you'll say about it! I promise I won't make you wait too long again. Thank you so, so much for the review!

Kayna96: Hello, Kayna! Thank you so much for the review, I'm happy you're enjoying the story so far! There's going to be a lot of fighting upon her return. Stay tuned. I can't wait to see your reactions to Tamer: Shippuden!

Guest: Thank you for the review, lovely guest! Your review made me laugh (I'm a fan of cursing lol)! I hope you're as ready as I am for the coming fights !SPOILER ALERT! there's gonna be a hell of a lot of them. There's a lot to fix before everything returns to semi-normalcy. Damn right, Kabocha doesn't like Temari, and she's going to make sure that fact is known when she gets back. I can't wait to see your reactions to the future confrontations! Stay tuned!

Guest: Thank you so much for the review, gorgeous guest! I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as you enjoyed the last thirty something chapters lol. I'm seriously glad that I'm keeping you on your toes, and that you're enjoying everything so far. Keep reviewing and stay tune for more angst, romance, and fighting! Thanks again for the review!

!SPOILER ALERT! That little canoodle...is definitely coming back to haunt them. Stay tuned! ;)