Shikamaru x Temari Distance (AU)

Part 14. Chapter 2.

Part 14. Chapter 2.

- Mr. Hisajima! The election had started! – yelled a man, causing echoes through the mansion.

- Finally. – said the man in his forties, his hand lifting up in the air as a servant handed him his phone. – The man's Shikamaru Nara. – he said.

- But sir! The others seem to despise him, and he's apparently seventeen... - protested the line.

- He is the only son of Shikaku Nara, and he's betrothed to my daughter. – he stated. – he will be the man who continues the Hisajima, as well as the Nara family. He has to win. If he doesn't, I will take matters into my own hand, and I'm afraid you might be on the front line, Akio.

It's been a long time since Hikaru Hisajima has had to make threats to get his own way, but he still did it for the sport.

- I-I understand. He'll win. – said Akio, and was replaced by a beep.

Hikaru laughed to himself. So, he did get himself elected after all. You have such a son, Shikaku. I can see that he's taken after you quite well.

- You wanted to see me, father? – asked his only daughter as her head peeked through the doorway, and just like that, he felt as if the room has lightened up. He couldn't help but smile ear to ear looking at her, a scene that was quite rare.

- Yes, my snow angel. Do come in.

Shiho walked towards him, returning his smile, and sat down.

- The date is near, my dear. I want to ask you once more...

- I'm not having cold feet, dad. – she said, reassuring.

- It's just... I keep feeling guilty and worried that I'm betrothing you at this young age. I feel like I might be stealing another future you might prefer away from you.

- It wasn't you, dad. You know you never would've agreed to it if I hadn't wanted it. This is not the 19th century, life for me will continue on, you don't have to worry. It's Shikamaru, dad. If it had been anyone else, I would've hated it, but it is him. This will make me happy. – she said, putting her hand on his father's, the man who she knows will easily walk through fire for her. She needed him to believe her.

- You really love him, don't you? – he said, his muscles relaxing.

- I do.

- Does he love you?

Shiho paused. She didn't think he loved her.

But he didn't love anyone, and he has decided to marry her, after all this time. That must count to something.

- Of course. Of course, he does, dad. You don't have to worry, instead you can just worry about making it happen. – she said, looking into his eyes, feeling like looking into her own. She felt guilty for lying to him, but also knew that if she had told the truth, he wouldn't agree to it no longer. She grew anxious when she saw his eyes travel to the diamond ring on her finger.

Looking at her bright eyes, Hisajima remembered the first time Shikaku had come to talk to him, and how exciting she was for weeks on end after being caught eavesdropping. Maybe he's doing the right thing, no matter how much he wants her to stay right here, and be his snow angel for forever.

- Okay, dad, I need to go and help with the planning for a bit. Love you. – she said, giving him a peck on the cheek, and left.

Hisajima nodded. For a while he just sat there, alone with his thoughts even though he knew work was piling up in some corner. He opened his pocket watch, which revealed a picture of one of the most beautiful human beings he's ever had the grace of knowing.