Chapter Text
Birthday Buddies
September 22, 288
Loud cries filled the Nara home, and while Shikaku was normally a stoic man, he shed a tear at the little boy he now held in his arms. Yoshino was completely drained, her chakra flow and heart rate were steady, according to the medic-nin, but she was exhausted. He had been on battlefields with less screaming, so he completely understood. Three months before, he had been commiserating with Inoichi about what a drag living with a pregnant wife was. When he took every mission he could, Yoshino was always angry when he got home, saying he wasn’t home enough. When he stayed home to be more helpful, Yoshino raged about how they wouldn’t have enough money. Home cooked meals came far less often than half-baked arguments. Choza and Inoichi had made fun of him endlessly for his eye rolls and sighing. Saying he was as petty as a kunoichi and twice as annoying.
But, holding this baby, HIS son made the marital distress and difficult missions worth it, “Okay little one, you need a strong Nara name.” His son stared up at him, studying him. Silently trying to determine whether or not Shikaku was a threat. He did not fuss, but stayed perfectly still, careful to maintain eye contact, even with his brand-new eyes. Much like the eyes of the deer in the Nara Forest. He softly smiled, “Shikamaru, Nara Shikamaru, a good name for a beautiful boy.”
After a few more silent moments studying his newborn, Yoshino stirred, watching her husband and their child. Her heart was filled with so much love and joy. Shikaku was so proud of his wife, he looked towards her, only to notice her eyes already on him, “Shikamaru,” he whispered to his wife.
“A wonderful name, love,” she responded, smiling softly.
“Yes, we will announce it tomorrow.” He nodded with finality, little did he know, that was not going to happen.
September 23, 288
A shrill cry filled the Yamanaka household. It was so sharp, the medic-nin laughingly commented, “She already has a pair of lungs on her! She’s definitely Noriko’s daughter!”
Inoichi stared down into the eyes of his daughter, pride and horror equally filling his heart. Noticing her husband’s distress, Noriko laughed, “What is it you silly man? Upset that the Nara’s got a son?”
He looked up indignant, “Oh hell no! I’m just worried about all the boys that are gonna try to date my baby girl!” He stared down lovingly at his child, tearing up, and whispered reverently,
“She’s already so beautiful.” The baby seemingly snorted at his comment.
“What shall she be named then, my darling?” Noriko matched his tone.
“She’s small and warm, and apparently snorts, like a little piglet. She’s to be Ino.”
“INO!?” Noriko all but screamed, causing her newborn to scream along with her, “YOU WANT TO NAME OUR CHILD PIG!?”
To this, Inoichi just smiled, “it’s a tradition, love. Trust me, no one will be mistaking this beautiful child for a pig.”
Noriko rolled her eyes, but knew it was worthless to argue, “By the way,” she began, “Yoshino is probably pissed that they had to put off the announcement of their son. We should announce with them tomorrow night. I’m sure splitting the cost of the party will help to soothe her hurt feelings. Head over there and suggest it to Nara-kun and Yoshi, please. You can leave Ino with me.”
September 24, 288
Together the Nara clan and the Yamanaka clan walked up to the Hokage’s office, “Yondaime, we’ve come to announce the birth of our newest clan members,” Nara Shikaku declared.
Minato stared at them, grinning widely, “What a happy occasion! Did you bring their certificates to be stamped?” He was happy to deal with some happy news, as he was on edge about the birth of his own child. The nine-tailed fox could be released from Kushina any day now, and even though she was strong, the seal itself was weakened by the strain of childbirth. He could only hope that in a few days or weeks’ time, he would be happily stamping the certificate of his child, just like the Naras’ and Yamanakas’.
After stamping his seal on the certificates he announced, “I, Minato Namikaze, Yondaime of the Leaf, congratulate you on your growing clans. I hope that their lives are blessed with peace, love, and much happiness.”
The two clans thanked the Hokage, before rushing back out of the building to meet their last team member, the Akimichis. “Dinner at our place!” Inoichi shouted, much to the irritation of his wife and the rest of the street, as both babies began wailing at the noise, “sorry,” he muttered sheepishly, after his wife smacked him upside the head.
Later that night, the two babies were placed on their backs on a futon near the dinner table, where the adults were celebrating the births. Choza was doting over his pregnant wife, filling her plate more than his, which was a huge deal. Shikaku and Inoichi kept teasing him for it, but all the wives thought it was sweet, and Yoshino even commented that Shikaku could learn a thing or two from Choza.
As the night drew to a close, the families began to take their leaves. Looking over at the two babies, Noriko noticed the two fast asleep, hands joined together, “Aww, look how cute, Inoichi! She already has her first boyfriend.”
Incensed, Inoichi shoved Shikaku, “You keep your son’s grubby little hands off of my sweet little girl!” Ino and Shikamaru both woke at the commotion, but only little Ino’s lip began to quiver.
Shikaku only rolled his eyes, not rising to the bait. He reached for his son to pick him up off the futon, “Yeah right, like my son would go for a PIG.” He began to lift Shikamaru, but noticed that his little one would not release little Ino’s hand. He pried their hands apart, and only then did both babies begin screaming with a vengeance. Not knowing what to do, Shikaku placed his boy right back beside Ino, their hands grasping together again and the cries silencing immediately.
Noriko was in the corner berating Inoichi for the name he gave their daughter, Yoshino was packing up the baby supplies, and no one seemed to be helping him. “What a drag, guess we have to wait ’til they fall asleep again,” he whispered to himself.
After a few minutes passed, the two newborns were completely out like lights.
Little did either family know that in two weeks, this peace and joy would be torn apart by sadness and pain and fear.