The shadow princess

Chapter 53

Inuzuka Shizuka P.O.V.

I look around and find myself in an empty room, except for me and the futon. "Otosan?" I ask confused as I find his vest on my pillow. I take it and bring it to my face. "It still smells like you" I whisper. I look up when I hear ruckus outside of the door. The door slides open but Shikamaru has his back turned toward me. I can't hear what he says but as he turns toward me he gasps. "I knew it...I knew it!" He then runs over and hugs me tightly. "Shi..kamaru?" I mumble surprised. Over his shoulder I see Temari at the door, stunned with tears in her eyes. She then runs into the hallway. "Why are you crying? What's wrong?" I ask as I rub his back. "It's not unusual for me to take a nap" I say. Shikamaru let's go and keeps me at arms length. "How long do you think you've been asleep, Shizuka?" Shikamaru asks surprised. "A few hours?" I ask. "Shizuka.. you've been asleep for weeks!" Shikamaru says and I feel my lips part. "Weeks?" I ask surprised. "Weeks! About everyone has given up on you, thinking you were dying" Shikamaru places his hands on my face as tears stream down his face. I need a moment to process this but then place my hands on his. "Thank you for believing in me" I say softly. "I never doubted you for a second" he says. I smile. "How are you feeling?" Shikamaru asks as he lets go of me. "Refreshed. Renewed. Like I've never been ill" I say, balling my fists and releasing them again. Shikamaru smiles. "I'm glad.." he says. "Where is my son?" I ask. Shikamaru asks. "Kiba took him home.." he says. "Kiba did?" I ask surprised. "He did" Shikamaru sighs. "Can you take me home?" I ask. "Are you sure? You just woke up after weeks asleep and bedridden for longer" Shikamaru says. "I'm fine" I say. "Help me up and you'll see" I say. Shikamaru does and I can walk around like nothing ever happened. Shikamaru smiles brightly then looks up at the ceiling. "Thank you, Oyaji" he says softly. He then takes my hand and pulls me with him. Temari is in the kitchen making tea and some food. "Temari" I say. She looks up. I bow to her. "Thank you for everything you did" I say.

I feel like my heart is going to burst out of my chest, as I feel my son in my arms. "I can't believe you're actually awake" Kiba says softly. Shikamaru scoffs softly. "If there's anything that needs to be said, do it now, or else keep it with you for eternity" I say kissing my sons cheek. "I can't believe you gave up on her! After everything! She even stayed with you after you cheated" Shikamaru snaps. "I didn't give up!" Kiba snaps. "I just couldn't stand seeing her like that, holding my son whenever it was convenient for you" Kiba says. "Why don't you try to imagine, the house you bought with your wife, to start a family and then being here without your wife and your son" he says, crossing his arms. I glance at Shikamaru and he sighs deeply. "It's not that I don't understand..but everyone was ready to give up and I needed someone to be by my side that wouldn't. I thought that would be you" Shikamaru says. "I'm sorry I made you feel like I was giving up. I just needed my family back in my house. At least part of it" Kiba says. "I understand" Shikamaru says. I can't help but smile slightly as I put Kisho against my shoulder. "It's going to be weird that you're gone again" Shikamaru says. "Are you sure it's alright?" He immediately adds. "We'll be fine" I say smiling. "I'm sure Temari is happy to be having her house and her time back again." I add. "I'm sure" Shikamaru says. "Well, I'll be over tomorrow to see how you're doing" Shikamaru says. "You really don't have to" I say amused. "Oh I know. But I want to" Shikamaru says and I smile at him. "Thanks for the tea" he says as he stands up. He presses a kiss on my head. "I'll walk with you" Kiba says. I softly rub Kisho's back as he softly murmurs. "Hi my baby boy" I whisper. Kiba sits down next to me. "Everything alright between you two?" I ask. "It is now. I'm glad you're awake. I'm glad you're home" Kiba says, as he wraps his arm around my shoulders, pulling me against him. I close my eyes as he presses a kiss against my temple. When I open my eyes I see him softly stroking Kisho's head. "I am too" I whisper.

Slowly I walk down the stairs to find Kiba on the couch with Kisho sleeping on his chest. "Ohayo" I say smiling. Kiba looks up and smiles. "Ohayo" he whispers. "What are you doing here?" I ask softly. "We didn't want to wake you up" Kiba whispers, looking down at our son. "I wouldn't mind" I smile, crouching down next to the couch. "You just got home, I figured I'd let you sleep in our own bed for a while" Kiba says and smiles. "Don't you have work today?" I ask, softly stroking Kisho's cheek. "I have the day off, and I'm glad that I do" he says.  I smile at him. "I do too" I whisper. Kisho starts murmuring. "Why don't you take him, while I make his bottle. I'm sure you want to feed him after all this time" Kiba says. "That would make me very happy" I say. Kiba stands up from the couch, and as I sit down, Kiba places our son in my arms. "Mommy is going to feed you" I say softly, as his little head rests on my breasts and I smile as I realize how excited it is making me. I softly stroke his cheek, following the Inuzuka mark. I smile again when he looks at me with his big brown eyes and his lips curl into a smile. "Hey baby boy" I whisper. "My beautiful baby boy. I missed you so much" I add. "We missed you too" I look up as Kiba sits down next to me. "Here you go" he says, offering me the bottle. I smile and position Kisho on my arm and as soon as he starts drinking he immediately sounds content. One hand on my finger that's holding the bottle, and the other holding my yukata. "You don't have to cry, silly" Kiba whispers as he strokes a tear from my cheek as he puts the other around my shoulder. "I didn't even realize" I say softly. "I missed so much, didn't I?" I whisper. "Well. He usually sleeps, eats and poops the whole day, so you haven't missed much. The fun stuff is still up ahead" Kiba says softly, pressing his lips against my temple. I chuckle softly. "You're sweet" I say looking at him. Kiba softly kisses me. I smile as I kiss back before I look down at my son. I can't help but chuckle when he has an angry frown on his little eyebrows. "Is Otosan not allowed to kiss Okaasan?" I ask amused, stroking his cheek.