Chapter Sixteen

A ShikaTema Special Chapter

The Wind is Pulling My Shadow

The raging wind covered the whole desert. The sand was swaying in different directions, it was a sandstorm.

A black-haired man with brushed-up hair temporarily stopped in the safest place at the moment. A dark cave welcomed him.

"What a drag. Why now?" He muttered. He was waiting for the storm to stop and continue his journey to the Sand Village.

"Why is it the wind always pulling my shadow every time a come here?" He asked.

Shikamaru made a campfire. He found some dry woods and he still had his sensei's lighter. He had his coat on that protects him from the sun's heat and the unwanted sand.

"I think I'll spend the night here." He said. The storm was still raging outside. Shikamaru returned the lighter in his pocket and suddenly his hand stopped moving. He had touched something. He pulled it out.

It's a ring.

He had decided to ask Temari's hand and make her his wife.

That idiot Naruto, I gave him the idea and now he proposed to Hinata before I got to ask Temari. He thought.

"Troublesome..." he murmured.

Will Temari accept my proposal? He thought.

Will Gaara and Kankuro accept me as their brother-in-law? He thought again.

Shikamaru shook his head and focused his mind on what he must say to Temari when he got there.

"Maybe I should talk to her brothers first then asked her for a bite. I think that's the best way to execute it." He said.

It was already dark but the storm had not stopped yet. He had just finished his dinner. He lay down on the ground. He used his coat as a sheet to sleep on and soon he fell asleep.

A grain of tears developed on the corners of his eyes. He yawned upon waking up. The storm had stopped. He walked outside the cave and a beautiful sunrise had started to color the whole desert. Shikamaru returned inside the cave to get his coat that was still lying on the ground.

"Yosh, it's time to go." He said and ran in the middle of an unending desert.

He was sweating so badly. He was traveling for three days and soon he would be arriving at the Sand Village's gate. He got a week off from work and he decided to spend it with the Sand siblings.

Without everyone's knowledge, Shikamaru has been so close to the Sand brothers months after the war. Shikamaru, as the Five Villages' Union Head, had been helping for the restoration of the public welfare of each village from the aftermath of the war. Gaara trusted him so much that if anything happens to the village he immediately calls for Shikamaru's aid as the Sand's ally from the Leaf.

"Shikamaru-san." One of the village guards greeted him. Shikamaru nodded. They let him pass the gate and entered the town.

He was heading to the Kazekage's Office to greet Gaara "Hello". Shikamaru was given the authority by Gaara to freely enter and leave the village.

He stopped in front of the office's doors. He knocked three times. A man's voice asked,  "who's there?"

"It's Shikamaru Nara." He replied. The door opened revealing Kankuro behind the door and Gaara sitting on his desk. Kankuro and Temari had become Gaara's bodyguards right after he became the Kazekage.

"You're finally here," Gaara spoke.

Shikamaru informed them to be arriving in the village three days ago.

"Yo!" Shikamaru greeted them.

"What's the matter, Shikamaru?" Kankuro asked. Shikamaru looked at him and then rubbed the back of his head.

"What is that important matter you want to talk about with us?" Gaara asked.

"The village is not concerned, right?" Kankuro asked.

Shikamaru cleared his throat before speaking.

"You are right. I am here to talk about personal matters." Shikamaru stated.

"Is this something confidential?" Gaara asked.

"Not really," Shikamaru replied. Kankuro was staring at him.

"Let me hear about it," Gaara said.

"It's about Temari." He straightforwardly said. Gaara gazed at him for seconds and then closed his eyes. Kankuro kept his eyes on Shikamaru.

"Now talk," Gaara said. He seemed to have a clue of what Shikamaru had to say.

Gaara and Kankuro recently talked about their elder sister's activities when she was and wasn't around the village as well as her activities when she's in the Leaf Village being the ambassador of the Sand at the Chunin Exams. They had noticed her sudden closeness to Shikamaru and her unnatural approach and treatment towards the Leaf's genius.

Shikamaru was a bit hesitant because dealing with women like Temari has always been a drag for him or even talking about marriage was troublesome for him.

"I have decided to talk to you guys first before asking Temari about it, a sign of respect as well as asking for your approval and blessing," Shikamaru stated.

"Go ahead and tell us already, Shikamaru. Neither surprises nor figures of speeches work on us." Kankuro scolded him.

"Nah, I just don't know how to say it right away so pardon me Kankuro," Shikamaru said, he was feeling irritated.

Gaara remained silent and kept listening to the two men bickering in front of him. Shikamaru once again cleared his throat and fixed himself.

"Okay listen up guys. I am here to ask Temari's hand from you." Shikamaru revealed.

"WHAT?! What did you just sa--" Kankuro screamed. Gaara was a bit surprised too. Gaara's cold stares were fixated on Shikamaru's face. Shikamaru did not falter. He waited for Gaara's words. Kankuro was still could not believe what he had just heard.

"What the hell has gotten into your mind?! Are you sure about marrying Temari?" Kankuro was freaking out (in a funny way). Shikamaru was ignoring him.

"What is your opinion on this, Kankuro?" Gaara seriously asked. Kankuro put his thumb and index fingers on his chin like he was seriously thinking. Well, his expression changed.

"Are you really sure about it, Shikamaru?" Kankuro asked giving Shikamaru a weird face.

"Of course you idiot!" Shikamaru shouted at him (in a funny way like the anime does).

"Well, it can't be helped though I can hardly believe someone will like a 'boyish' type like Temari," Kankuro said.

"So..." Gaara murmured.

"If it's Shikamaru, I think everything will be fine." Kankuro confidently said. Shikamaru gazed at him while slightly blushing.

"I see," Gaara muttered.

"Gaara, I'm sure the council will force you to marry too if they will know about Temari's marriage with Shikamaru," Kankuro stated.

"I haven't proposed to Temari yet though," Shikamaru said while pouting.

"She will definitely say yes," Kankuro said.

"How are you so sure?" Shikamaru asked.

"You know, she was blushing when she's with you and she's acting weird when you are around. I just noticed." Kankuro explained.

Shikamaru rubbed the back of his head and slightly blushed at Kankuro's statement.

Gaara remained silent and kept listening to their conversation.

"The council... Marriage, huh?" Gaara murmured.

"What's wrong, Gaara?" Kankuro asked upon gazing at his confused face.

"Hmm. Nothing. If it's fine with you to let Temari marry Shikamaru then it's fine with me too." Gaara calmly said.

"Is that it?" Shikamaru asked in awe.

"You seem to be easy to talk with Gaara," Kankuro said.

"Hmm.." Gaara murmured.

"A man of few words, indeed," Kankuro added.

"By the way, Naruto is getting married soon too," Shikamaru revealed.

"Naruto?! Really?" Kankuro asked with a dropped jaw (in a funny way).

"Yeah. He already proposed to Hinata." Shikamaru blurted.

"Naruto..." Gaara murmured.

"Gaara, are you okay with that?" Kankuro asked with a crying face (just like in the anime).

"What do you mean?" Gaara asked in confusion.

"Don't you think it's time for you to get a wife too? Our friends are getting married, I think you should too." Kankuro explained.

"I think older brothers get married first before the younger ones." Gaara retorted.

Kankuro pouted. Shikamaru laughed awfully.

"It's different with you though. You are the Kazekage and you need a successor." Kankuro said.

"Let's talk about it some other time, Kankuro. By the way, where's Temari?" Gaara said.

"She said she will check the northeast part of the land. The sandstorm at that part caused a lot of trouble." Kankuro explained.

"I see," Gaara murmured.

Gaara diverted his eyes to Shikamaru who was silent for a while. Shikamaru looked so calm.

"Well, let us lead you to your room while Temari's out. Have some rest." Gaara said.

"Don't worry about me, Gaara. The Kazekage does not need to accompany me to my room. I don't like special treatments. Kankuro's fine." Shikamaru muttered.

"You're a special guest so Gaara wanted to extend his warmest welcome by doing such," Kankuro stated.

"No need for that." Shikamaru insisted.

"Fine, fine. I will take him to his room, Gaara. You stay here. I'll be quick." Kankuro said.

The two left the office after Shikamaru waved goodbye to him. They left Gaara in deep thought. Both his elbows were leaning on the table while his crossed fingers were covering his mouth.

"Kankuro..." Gaara called out for him while they were walking in the corridors.

"Yes? What's the matter?" Kankuro asked. They kept walking.

"Will Temari's marriage affect my civil life?" Gaara asked. Kankuro paused and faced him.

"You know about it right, Gaara?" Kankuro asked in a serious tone.

Gaara looked down for seconds then faced Kankuro once again.

"I know our bloodline is very important in this village but..." Gaara was interrupted by Kankuro.

"Gaara, you are not the Kazekage forever. You need a successor. It's true that our bloodline is highly valued in this village. If Temari marries Shikamaru, their child will be the successor to the title due to Temari's blood flowing in the child's veins but I don't think the council will allow a Leaf citizen to take over your seat." Kankuro explained.

Well, Kankuro's right. Shikamaru will definitely take Temari to the Leaf after their wedding and soon Temari will be a citizen of the village. Gaara thought.

It's all about politics and bloodline again.

"I am sure that the council will force you to marry too. So prepare yourself for marriage meetings." Kankuro said.

"Well, your child can be my successor, Kankuro," Gaara muttered. Kankuro was totally embarrassed after hearing Gaara's statement.

"Wh-Why me?!" Kankuro freaked out.

"You are my brother and your child will bear the bloodline to be my successor," Gaara said.

"There's no way I'll get married. I could live with my puppets forever." Kankuro said while pouting. Gaara did not argue with him anymore and continued walking.

"Yo, where are you going?" A blonde-haired woman carrying a giant fan on her back suddenly appeared in front of their eyes.

"Temari!" Kankuro muttered.

"So you've finally back," Gaara said.

"What's going on?" She asked in confusion.

"Not that much. By the way, you have a guest." Kankuro revealed.

"A guest? Who is it?" Temari asked with furrowed eyebrows.

"Someone from the Leaf Village," Gaara said.

Temari's furrowed eyebrows returned back to their original positions. Guess she already knew who it was.

"Would you like me to tell him that you're back?" Kankuro teased her.

"No, let him rest for a while and I think I need it too right now. I'll report to you later Gaara. See you." Temari said and waved goodbye to them. They watched her back until she totally vanished.

"So, he is here." She murmured and a slight smile was drawn on her lips while she was heading to her room.

Shikamaru was walking through the corridors when he bumped into someone. Both of them were surprised upon seeing each other.

"Hey." He greeted.

"Hey." She replied.

Temari was stunned.

"What's up?" Shikamaru casually asked.

"Not that much. I have been from the Kazekage's office." Temari replied.

"I see..." he muttered.

"Ah. Umm. Let's grab something to eat." Shikamaru offered.

"Hmmm..." Temari hesitated.

"What's wrong?" Shikamaru asked.

"Nothing. Well, I haven't eaten anything yet. Might as well." She said regaining her composure.

"Good to hear that. Let's go?" Shikamaru said. Then the two of them walked together on their way to the tea store.

Upon arrival, the two ordered two sets of dangos partnered with a hot tea.

"This dango tastes different from those in the Leaf," Shikamaru commented then sipped from his cup of tea.

"Well, the ingredients made for this dango are different from the Leaf's specialty and I kinda like the taste of dangos in the Leaf," Temari said while smiling then she munched her last dango stabbed by a thin bamboo stick.

"I'm not a fan of dangos anyway." Shikamaru revealed. Temari laughed at his statement. Shikamaru was confused and amused at the same time. He did not see Temari smile for a while.

"You look like it," Temari muttered.

"But the tea here tastes good." Shikamaru complimented.

"Most of the tea here is made up of rare herbal plants growing in this country and from neighboring villages. Plants do not grow much here though," Temari explained.

"Oh, I see," Shikamaru replied.

"By the way, why are you here in the village?" Temari started. Shikamaru almost puked at her question. He did not expect her to suddenly ask him that question though. He was feeling cold and still not answering her.

"Ahh. Uhmm.." he murmured. He scratched the back of his head. Temari furrowed her eyebrows. She seemed to be suspicious of him.

"Are you okay, Shikamaru? You look pale." She commented.

"Ah. Yeah. I'm fine." He answered and laughed awkwardly.

Temari narrowed her eyes, she already knew Shikamaru was hiding something from her.

"Speak up already," Temari said. She looked impatient. From that moment he knew he could never lie to Temari or hide something from her because she would always know.

Shikamaru cleared his throat before speaking. He also fixed himself. Temari was still waiting for him to confess what was on his mind.

"It's troublesome to ask a woman like this but..." he paused. He sounded like complaining. Temari kept her eyebrows furrowed.

"What do you mean?" Temari innocently asked.

"Have you heard about Naruto and Hinata's wedding?" He asked.

"Yeah, I've heard it from Kankuro." She replied.

"Honestly, I was the one who initiated that to happen and I was so glad Naruto proposed to Hinata before I get to do it," Shikamaru revealed. He really sounded like complaining.

"So, you have thought of proposing to someone as well?" Temari spoke like an innocent child. She had no clue of what she was saying.

"Well, ye-yeah." Shikamaru was a bit agitated.

So she is clueless about me proposing to her? He thought.

Temari returned to her usual expression. She looked like she was jealous or something. Silence surrounded them.

"So why are you here?" Temari asked once again.

Shikamaru stared on the floor. He was serious. Temari kept silent waiting for his response.

"Because... I want to ask someone to marry me." Shikamaru said and looked at her eyes. Temari slightly blushed.

"Wha-what? Why are you staring at me like that?" She stuttered and her face turned awfully red.

Shikamaru grabbed something from his pocket and showed it to her.

"That's..." she murmured.

"It's a drag but, will you marry me?" Shikamaru asked.

Temari was blushing so bad. She was heating up. She stared at the ring for seconds then switched her gaze at Shikamaru.

"It's really a drag marrying me so you better be prepared," Temari replied. She was crying. She was unaware of the tears flowing on her cheeks.

Shikamaru slowly grabbed her hand and put the ring on her finger. It was glittering and fit her finger perfectly.

"Calm down, just breathes in and breathes out!" A black-haired old woman told her.

"He's coming out!" Temari screamed. She was in pain.

"Hold on for a minute, the doctor is not here yet." Yoshino, her mother-in-law said. They were at the hospital. The baby in her womb was ready to see the world outside.

"Shikamaru's not home yet?" She asked her mother. Shikamaru was out for a mission.

"Not yet," Yoshino replied. Temari's in extreme pain.

A few minutes later, the doctor came and started to check on her. Yoshino was left outside.

A sound of a crying baby could be heard all over the place. Yoshino was so happy hearing her grandchild's cry.

"Mother!" A gasping Shikamaru approached Yoshino.

"Shikamaru, Temari made it!" She said. She was so happy. She hugged her son while tears streaming down her cheeks.

"So, the baby came out already?" Shikamaru asked.

The doctor left the delivery room. Shikamaru and his mother entered the room. He saw Temari carrying their baby. He moved closer to her. She smiled at him. It was a beautiful smile. Shikamaru's tears were flowing on his cheeks without him noticing it.

He was so happy. Those were tears of joy. He slowly pinched the baby's cheek.

"He was so tiny but adorable." He said.

"He looks exactly like you," Temari muttered.

Yoshino was watching them with tears in her eyes.

"Shikaku, how I wish you were here with me seeing this beautiful scenery," Yoshino murmured.

"Let's call him Shikadai," Shikamaru said.

"Why Shikadai?" Temari asked in confusion.

"Shikadai represents the new generation, a new hope for us," Shikamaru explained. Temari smiled at his statement and both of them gazed at their sleeping child with a smile on their lips.

Now that I have my "King" to protect, I promise to do my best and give the world to him.