A Magical Princess

Chapter 15

The conversation moved onto a subject Hari had obviously been wondering about for awhile - chakra. Fruit Country didn't have a hidden village, so the information available on molding chakra was limited there. He was explaining tenketsu points when their food came. Shikaku watched as she loaded up her plate and enthusiastically went about eating. One thing he'd noticed was that she didn't eat like a lot of civilian women tended to in public - daintily, and in tiny portions. While she ate neatly, she also did it without any kind of self-consciousness.

"So, you said you wanted to start a family," he said when she seemed to be winding down.

She glanced over at him nervously, but her eyes were determined when she nodded. "Yes. I know that you've already done that - had a wife and a full grown child - but I've always wanted kids of my own," she said with a small sad smile.

He was cut off from replying by the waitress coming to their table, and Hari smiled widely and complimented the food, insisting it was the best thing she'd eaten in years. Her wide green eyes were honest, and her smile genuine, and the Akimichi serving them was flattered by the praise. Shikaku paid the check and waved off getting boxes before sliding out of the booth and offering a hand to Hari.

She stood and adjusted her dress, and he let his eyes run appreciatively down her form. While Hari was small, she still sported some curves - not deep ones, but enough to draw the eye. He put a hand on the small of her back as they left the restaurant, posture relaxed as he held the door open for her.

Shikaku then slipped an arm around her waist for the walk back, since she didn't seem to mind the extra touching, even if she did get a little flustered. When they had reached the quieter areas of Konoha, he continued where they'd left off.

"I wouldn't mind trying for more children. My last marriage was arranged, and while we grew to care for each other, she didn't want to have more than the one child stipulated in the contract. She loved Shikamaru, of course, but she was a kunoichi before she was a mother, and that's hard on the body. Pregnancy is not an easy thing for women who lived or live that life."

"But you wanted more?" Hari asked, head tilted back so she could see his face.

"Yes. I never told her - like I said, I knew where she stood, and I think she liked me enough that she'd have tried if I asked, but," he shrugged, and Hari nodded seriously.

"I understand," she said simply, then laughed. At his questioning look, she explained. "I was an orphan, of sorts, raised with relatives who didn't like me much. My best friend's family informally adopted me. Ron had six siblings," she said wryly, and Shikaku made a choking sound

"Six?" he asked, incredulous, and Hari nodded.

"Six boys and one girl - the youngest, if you can believe it, poor thing. They didn't have a lot of money, and things were always...loud. But I loved it," she said wistfully. "There was so much love and warmth..." her voice trailed off, and she bit her lip.

"You miss them," Shikaku said, and she shrugged.

"Every day," she admitted and left it at that.

"So," he said, "do you want to try for children right away?"

Even in the dim lights from the street lamps he could see her blush, and couldn't help the small rumble of laughter that escaped him. "I didn't mean that as a come on, princess."

She tripped over her own feet, and he laughed as he caught her, ignoring her glare. "Sorry, sorry, I shouldn't tease."

He sobered and studied her as they passed through the Nara gates, where he gave a lazy wave to the guards. Once they were alone again, he continued. "The physical aspect... we don't ever need to do something you're not comfortable with. I know I'm much older than you, and I understand if you find that unattractive."

She looked so distressed that he stopped walking and pulled her off the trail so he could turn her towards him and study her face. Her eyes were wide, but she had squared her shoulders and was looking him dead in the eye. "No, Shikaku, it's not...that. I find you attractive," she said quietly, and he felt a possessive thrill at the admission.

"Its just, um. I'm not very experienced," she admitted, "so we might need to go slow. And I'm worried about, um, disappointing you."

"Are you saying," he said slowly, mind reeling, "that you're a virgin?"

Hari pursed her lips and breathed out through her nose in obvious annoyance. "Not...technically? I mean...I did it once, about six months before I became displaced. It's a bit of a blur, honestly. I was drunk and..."

"Stop," he said and took a deep breath when she went abruptly silent. He wasn't sure how to feel about this. She was over twenty, after all, and it had just never crossed his mind that she'd be practically a virgin. The fact that he was excited at the prospect made him feel like a dirty old man. He pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes.

"I'm too old for this," he muttered, and his eyes flew open at her small intake of air.