Disclaimer:
This fanfiction is based on characters and settings from Naruto, which is owned by Masashi Kishimoto, Shueisha, Viz Media, and Studio Pierrot. I do not claim ownership of the original Naruto story, characters, or universe. This work is purely fan-made for entertainment purposes, and no profit is being made from its creation. All original plot elements, storylines, and character interpretations are my own. Please support the official release.

Shikamaru's POV (First Person)

It had been a week since Naruto made the announcement, and today was the day I would officially move into Kaede Palace, my new home as Empress. The past week had been a blur of preparations, though I had been urged to rest more than once. The entire household—my servants, guards, and everyone else who had served me faithfully in my previous residence—was busy with the move. My personal attendants, Renji and Aki, insisted on handling all the logistics, reminding me that stress wasn't good for the baby. Despite their well-meaning protests, I couldn't help but oversee everything, ensuring every detail was handled with precision.

Kaede Palace was an upgrade in both size and significance. Named after the Japanese maple trees that scattered its gardens, it was a place of quiet elegance. Naruto had put a great deal of thought into making it a palace worthy of an Empress. He had given me a personal tour earlier in the week, showing me every new addition he had made—rooms designed with both practicality and sentiment in mind. As we walked through the palace grounds, Naruto had been quick to point out the small details.

He led me through the central courtyard, now transformed into a lush garden. The centerpiece was a small waterway that meandered through the space, giving the sound of gently flowing water to soothe the nerves. It was lined with trees that would provide much-needed shade during the heat of summer. "I thought you'd appreciate the quiet here," Naruto had said, smiling softly.

There was a deliberate thoughtfulness to everything. The flowers I had requested to be transferred from my old palace were set to arrive soon, ensuring that even in this new space, I wouldn't feel entirely out of place. One of the rooms Naruto had added had a retractable ceiling so that I could still cloud-watch even during the colder months, with flowers carefully arranged along the walls. Another was designed for us to play our own version of go, a strategy game I had taught him. Naruto, despite rarely winning, had always enjoyed the challenge and now wanted a space where we could indulge in the game more frequently.

But the most heartfelt addition had been a gift—a fawn. Naruto explained it was raised within the Nara Clan compound, cared for by my family after its mother had abandoned it. "Shikaku and Shikaro helped me arrange for this," Naruto had said as the small, delicate creature approached me. The fawn had never lived in the forest and was brought up in a garden, making it accustomed to humans. The thoughtfulness of the gift left me momentarily speechless.

"You always know exactly what to get me," I had said, feeling the weight of gratitude for everything Naruto had done.

Today, I stood at the entrance of Kaede Palace, the time having come for me to officially move in. Servants bustled about, ensuring that everything was perfectly in place. The palace was ready, and I would soon be, too. There was still much to do—adjusting to the new living arrangements, overseeing the final touches to my household, and, of course, settling into my new role.

The greeting ceremony was a daily tradition, one that symbolized respect and unity within the Emperor's harem. As the Empress, I was now at the center of this ritual. Every day, members of the harem were expected to greet the Empress, unless they had spent the night with the Emperor. Those who shared Naruto's bed were excused from the formal greeting, as it was understood that they had already fulfilled their duties in a more intimate setting. It was a show of hierarchy and formality that I had become used to, though today it felt more significant than ever.

The harem gathered in the courtyard, each member approaching in turn to offer their congratulations on my official move into Kaede Palace. Hinata approached me first, her smile soft and genuine. "Congratulations on your new home, Empress Shikamaru," she said, her eyes lowered respectfully. She stood before me, visibly pregnant, and I couldn't help but notice the warmth she radiated.

"Thank you, Hinata," I replied with a nod, keeping our exchange brief. She had always been kind-hearted, and her pregnancy suited her, giving her a serene glow that made her seem even more gentle than usual.

As the other members offered their well-wishes, I noticed the variety of reactions among them. Some, like Ino and Shino, seemed genuinely happy for me, while others, particularly those who had desired the title of Empress for themselves, poorly masked their disappointment. Still, the formalities were maintained, and I accepted their congratulations with the grace expected of me.

After the formal greetings, I dismissed the rest of the harem, eager to move past the pleasantries. Ino, Choji, and Shino, however, lingered behind, as we had arranged a small meeting. The four of us had grown close, and there was a comfort in having them remain by my side during this transition. I gestured for them to follow me into one of the more private sitting rooms, a space I had chosen specifically for these types of gatherings.

The room was modest in size but richly furnished with soft cushions and muted colors. It was a calm, quiet space, perfect for the conversations we often found ourselves having.

We each settled into our seats, and I poured tea for everyone, letting the steam from the pot rise slowly into the air. Ino, now two months pregnant, rested her hands gently on her stomach as she leaned back into her chair. Shino, three months along, sat as still and composed as ever, though I had noticed that pregnancy had begun to soften some of his sharper edges. Choji, who had yet to decide when he would be ready to have a child, looked relaxed, his usual warmth evident in his smile.

"I know things have been moving quickly," I began, sipping from my own cup. "It feels like we've hardly had time to process the changes."

Ino nodded, her brows knitting slightly in concern. "Everything has been happening so fast. Naruto's decision to announce you as Empress so soon—before the one-year mark—took us all by surprise."

"I wasn't expecting it myself," I admitted, placing my cup back on the table. "But I've come to terms with it. It's what's best for the stability of the harem, for the palace, and, ultimately, for Naruto."

Shino's eyes met mine. "You've always been the most pragmatic of us. It's no wonder he chose you. Still, it's a heavy burden."

I sighed. "It is. But I've accepted it, and I'll do what needs to be done. There's a lot ahead—the ceremony in a month and, after that, the reordering of the harem's ranks."

Choji shifted in his seat, glancing around the room. "Do you think the reordering will cause any problems? Some members of the harem are quite... ambitious."

"There will always be those who aren't satisfied," I said plainly. "But Naruto and I will handle it together. We'll do what's best for the group as a whole. No one will lose rank, but some may rise. We'll have to be cautious, though."

The conversation drifted between lighthearted moments and more serious discussions about the coming months. It was good to have this time together, to plan and talk things through. Despite the challenges, I felt confident moving forward with the support of my friends and allies.

As I looked around the room at those who had remained behind with me—at Ino's expectant smile, Shino's quiet contemplation, and Choji's steady presence—I felt a sense of peace. This palace, this title, this life—it was all mine now. And I knew that with Naruto at my side and these trusted friends supporting me, I could handle the challenges ahead.

Kaede Palace was more than just a new residence; it was a symbol of the future, a place where I could build something meaningful—a life, a family, a legacy.