I: A Changing World

It was late afternoon as Shikamaru laid in his favorite cloud watching spot. Next to him sat Choji Akimichi, his best friend.

"Hard to believe that its been 6 months since the war ended," the Akimichi said after finishing off a bag of chips.

"Yeah," Shikamaru replied

Choji stood and walked over to the railing looking over the newly rebuilt market area. "Amazing how everything seems to be returning to normal so quickly. Not that long ago the world was ending and now it just keeps going."

"Normal," Shikamaru said, "I'm not sure it will ever be that again."

Choji looked over at his friend. "What do you mean, Shikamaru?"

"So many things have changed," Shikamaru replied, "Tsunade has retired as Hokage and Kakashi-sensei takes her place. The Five Great Shinobi Nations are allied with each other, instead of in constant conflict or teetering on the edge of. Naruto is not the hated outcast but the beloved hero, Sasuke is not the traitorous criminal but the repentant sinner."

Choji looked back down at the market. "Yes, but people are still going shopping everyday, fall in love, raise families, be with friends. But speaking of things changing, what's the latest news from the Kage Summit?"

Shikamaru stretched and sat up. "Should be over soon. Kakashi-sensei will probably return from the Land of Iron within the week, and Naruto too. Huh, gets named the Hokage and he spends most of the first six months of his reign outside the village."

"While we're on the subject," Choji said, "you've heard about the people who want you to be the next Hokage?"

Shikamaru glared at his friend. "Please don't tell me that you're one of them."

Choji shook his head. "I was there, remember. You can't see the things that we saw Naruto do and not want to follow him."

Shikamaru laid back down. "Why would they even want to give me that job? Such a drag."

"You're smart and talented," Choji commented with a shrug, "and everyone knows you played an important roll in defeating the Akutsuki and in the war. To be honest, if it weren't for Naruto you would be first in line to be the Seventh Hokage."

Shikamaru was getting thoroughly annoyed with this subject. "Lets talk about something else."

Choji was silent for a moment before saying something. "How's your mom?"

"She's alright," Shikamaru answered, turning over onto his side. "The news about my dad hit her pretty hard. How's your dad?"

Choji sighed. "Some days he's good and others he's not. Its hard to loss your two oldest and closest friends like that."

Shikamaru stood up. "I should probably head home. See ya, Choji." As Shikamaru left he heard the reply, "yeah, see you, Shikamaru."

Shikamaru made his way through the streets heading towards his home. As he walked by people sometimes would recognize him. Most of the time people would do a double take as he moved past them, others would smile and wave at him. On one occasion a couple girls spotted him and giggled to themselves as he passed. In the months since the end of war Shikamaru had garnered a small but loyal group of fangirls that he wanted nothing to do with.

Arriving at his home Shikamaru heard the sound of a vacuum cleaner coming from the living room. Entering it he found his mother busy cleaning the house.

Shikamaru observed the scene for a moment before commenting. "Mom, didn't you clean a couple days ago. And a couple of days before that."

Yoshino, who hadn't noticed her son's arrival, looked up from her work. "Don't bother me, Shikamaru."

Shikamaru sighed, a part of him missing the domineering women who would yell at him to get his chores done.

"Alright Mom," Shikamaru commented before turning to leave the room.

"Shikamaru."

Shikamaru stopped and turned to face his mother. "Yes, Mom?"

"Shikamaru," Yoshino said, "when are you going to have some kids?"

The young man's eyes widened in surprise. "What? Kids? What are you talking about?"

Yoshino averted her eyes, looking very…sad. "It was just something that I was thinking about."

"Mom," Shikamaru said, "I don't think that the family life is one for me."

Temari sat in a tea house in the Hidden Sand, sitting across from her former teacher, Baki.

"You heard anything about when Gaara and Kankuro are coming back?" she asked after a sip of tea.

Baki nodded. "They should return by the end of week, the Kage Summit is finally nearing an end."

Temari put her cup down. "About time. Who would of thought that they would be there for so long?"

"It's not unexpected," Baki commented, "not after the war that we just finished fighting. A lot of incredible, world-shattering things happened very quickly."

"I suppose that's true," Temari replied. "Though the Leaf did delay it when they took the time to swear their new Hokage into office."

Baki sipped his tea. "I suppose they did, but Lady Tsunade made a fine choice for her replacement in Kakashi. Though I wonder how long it takes before he moves aside for Naruto Uzamaki."

"He's not the only worthy candidate for Hokage, you know," Temari said with a joking smile.

Baki put his tea down. "I suppose he's not, but he's the only one that's relevant."

"I know," Temari said. "Unlike you I was there for that final battle. Even watching as someone not from the Leaf, every fiber of your being made you want to follow him."

Baki chuckled. "Better watch yourself, Temari, you might make me start questioning your allegiance."

The conversation quickly devolved into a joyful laugh. The two slowly recovered and a silence fell over the table.

Suddenly, a Sand kunoichi ran into the shop, skidding to a stop next to Temari and Baki's table.

Temari looked quizzically at the girl. "Matsuri?"

"Have you heard anything about Gaara?" the girl asked, panting as she catched her breath. "Is he coming back yet?"

Temari could not help but smile at the younger girl. "Calm down, he'll be back by the end of the week."

"You'd be acting the same way if a certain boy was coming instead, you know," Matsuri retorted, shaking her head.

Temari jumped back in her seat in surprise. "Wha-what are you talking about? I'd never act that way!"

Matsru laughed. "You know you would, and I know who you would do it for."

Temari blushed a bright red. Trying to hide her embarrassment she took a sip of her tea, all the while thinking of a certain Leaf shinobi.