"What a drag.."

I smiled as I looked to Shikamaru who was helping me hang our laundry in the yard. I suppose I would have been annoyed if the statement was directed at me, but I knew he was just frustrated that there wasn't a faster way to dry clothes. The funny part is that Shikamaru is a genius and if you asked him to figure out a way to make it faster, he would probably have the same response. I laughed at the thought.

Shikamaru looked over at me.

"What are we having for dinner?" he asked.

"We're meeting Choji and Ino for BBQ, remember?"

Shikamaru hummed in agreement before walking over to me. He kneeled in front of me, placed his hands on my hips, and whispered softly into my large baby bump.

"Alright, but let's not stay out too late, okay?"

He kissed my stomach. Suddenly, Shikamaru started to fade away. I tried grabbing at him, but all my fingers found was air. I was alone. Terrified, I looked down and, sure enough, my belly was flat.

"No, no, no!" I screamed.

I closed my eyes, but then someone grabbed my shoulders and started shaking me.

"Mai, open your eyes! Please, open them."

I didn't want to. I didn't want them both to be gone. Still, I reluctantly did as the voice in my ear said.

When I opened my eyes, I was sitting in a dimly lit room, and Dr. Yamanaka was standing in front of me, concerned. Dr Yamanaka was my therapist and a member of Ino's clan. The Yamanaka clan had been a huge part of bringing this rehabilitation center to life as well as the ones like it in other villages. These were places created to help people adjust to reality after the Infinite Tsukuyomi was undone. Not everyone knew they were stuck in a dream. Not everyone wanted to leave the dream they were in. As for myself, Dr. Yamanaka was the only other soul in the world who knew what I had dreamed of, and I had been seeing her for over two years. When the Tsukuyomi was lifted, not only was the man I loved no longer my husband, and our child was gone, but he was in love with someone else.

"Are you alright?" She asked.

I was in the process of convincing her to remove the false memories, which she flat out refused to do, but I couldn't take it anymore. It had been enough for that day, besides I had plans for the day. I moved to leave the room.

Dr. Yamanaka sighed.

"Same time next week?"

I looked at her.

"Actually, you probably won't be seeing me for a while."

She furrowed her brow at my words but didn't press the subject. Her concerns aside, I was a shinobi, and if I was going on a mission, she wasn't necessarily privy to that information.

After stopping home to grab my bag that I had packed the night before, I placed a letter I had written the night before on my desk, left my house, and made my way to the Hokage's office. The place was pretty empty, considering that most people who worked there would be invited to the big event. Of course, I had been invited as well, but I would never show my face at such a 'happy' occasion.

When I got to the Hokage's office I knocked on the large doors.

"Come in."

Stepping into the room, I looked over at Lord Sixth who was actually wearing his ceremonial robes, instead of his usual mission gear. He looked up at me in surprise.

"Mai, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at the ceremony? I'm about to head over there myself."

I shook my head at his words.

"Actually, Lord Sixth, I came to tell you that I've decided to leave the village indefinitely."

He stopped his movements at once. His face growing hard.

"What do you mean?"

I stood up straight and met his gaze.

"Sir, I love this village more than anything, and will die loyal to the Leaf, you know that." I began. My words seemed to soften his expression a bit. "However, I cannot stay here anymore. It's torture. So, I've decided to leave. I'm not sure what my plans are, but I will monitor any threats to the Leaf from the outside, and of course if I am desperately needed, I will return at once. But, I need to leave and I would rather do so with your blessing."

Lord Sixth sighed at my conviction.

"I take it you won't be attending Shikamaru's wedding?"

My jaw tightened until it hurt.

"Definitely not."

"And, is that why you chose today to tell me? Because, It was the one day he wouldn't be here?"

I didn't respond to that.

"Fine, I will allow it for now, but you are to report regularly to me through Kokuyo."

I nodded and handed him a small scroll.

"Understood. I will leave one of his summoning scrolls with you if you need to contact me quickly."

With that, I turned to leave.

"Mai, are you going to be alright? I'm concerned. Obviously, Dr. Yamanaka cannot give me the details about your sessions, but she has informed me that you haven't made any progress."

I looked back at him over my shoulder.

"I'll be fine, sir. I just need some time and space to heal properly. I would appreciate it, though, if you could keep my plans and this conversation to yourself. I left a letter for my team, but perhaps it would be best if the others simply thought I was on a mission."

He sighed again, but nodded and with that I was off. In less than half an hour I was walking through the village gates, and wouldn't return for several years.

A/N

Hey guys,

This is the first chapter of my new Shikamaru fanfiction! Now, I love Shikamaru and Temari together in the series, but in the world of my fantasies things are different haha. Anyway, I hope you enjoy.

Also, if you are interested in personal and customized fanfiction, please check out my profile on Fiverr:

CSLYNNLY

(Place it in the search bar. No results will show up. Click search usernames)

Xoxo

Reika