The shadow princess

Chapter 22

[Nara Shikaku P.O.V.]

"How is Shizuka doing?" Tsunade-sama asks. "She's healing fast" I answer, rubbing the back of my neck. "Couple of days and she's probably ready to go back to training" I add. "And mentally?" Tsunade-sama smiles slightly. "Well" I sigh deeply as I put my hands in my pockets. "She's tough. She acts like nothing is the matter. But sometimes she still wakes up screaming. She refuses to talk though. Even to that Kiba boy" I say. "Everyone processes in their own way" Shizune says. "That's true. But when she just got home it was way worse. So she's improving. Seems like what she's been through is giving her that much more motivation" Tsunade-sama chuckles. "I expected nothing less from her. Why don't you bring her over tomorrow. We can make this promotion official" she says before looking at Shizune. "Send word to Genma, he probably wants to witness it too" I nod slightly. "Thank you Hokage-sama" I say bowing slightly before leaving her office. I sigh deeply and place my hands in my pockets as I look up at the sky. My kids are growing up so fast. As of tomorrow Shizuka is officially a Jōnin. I smile slightly. I can still feel her baby hands on my face, tracing my scars. After a little while Shikamaru had enough and start pulling my beard and lips to take the attention away from his sister. But I loved cuddling with them, tickling them, taking naps with them. They were so small, and so big now. I chuckle slightly and sigh deeply as I walk home. But this is life as a parent I guess. But I'm glad they're going for their own goals.

"Tadaima" I say as I walk in but no response. I find Yoshino and Shizuka in the back yard. Yoshino is hanging the laundry and Shizuka is sitting on the porch watching the sky. "Hey little one" I say. Pressing a kiss on her head. "Okaeri Toosan" she responds. "How are you doing?" I step off the porch and run my hand through her hair. "Fine" she says smiling. I smile back as I walk over to Yoshino. "Okaeri" she says as I press a kiss on her cheek. "Hokage-sama wants me to bring Shizuka tomorrow" I say softly so she won't hear me. "Why?" Yoshino whispers. "To promote her to Jōnin" Yoshino looks at Shizuka who's staring at the sky again. "I see" she says. "I don't think she's ready yet" Yoshino says. "She won't be send on missions immediately, but they want to make the promotion official" I say. Yoshino sighs. "Okay..well, If you look out for her, I'm okay with it" she says. "I will" I lay my hand on her lower back for a second, kissing my wife before walking back to my daughter. "Whatcha been doing today?" I ask. "Nothing much. I've read your medical book." I smile as I sit down next to her. "But I'd be happier if I was allowed to train again, go on missions again" she says. "Patience Shizuka" I say. "How much more patience do I need" she groans. "Couple of days" I answer. "But..you can come with me tomorrow" I say, she looks at me. "You'll be out of the house for a little while" I add. "That'd be great" she says smiling. "Good" I say. I pat her on her shoulder before laying both my hands next to me sighing.

"Has the decision been made yet?" I look up from the shogi board to my son. "Decision?" I ask. "About Shizuka" he says. "What about Shizuka?" I ask as I move a piece. "You're really going to make me spell it out loud huh? Mendokusai" Shikamaru sighs. I can't help but smile. "Decision has been made" I say. "And?" Shikamaru asks. "None of your business" I answer. "Would it be wise, to make her Jōnin?" I look at Shikamaru. "Are you asking that for the sake of Konoha, or because you're her brother?" Shikamaru looks at me. "What do you mean?" He asks. "Are you asking because you think she isn't fit to be Jōnin or because you're worried for her?" Shikamaru looks up at the ceiling sighing. "It wasn't easy for them to capture Shizuka. She put up a nasty fight" I say. "How do you know?" Shikamaru asks. "Because Inoichi showed me everything" Shikamaru frowns. "So you saw..." I frown too. "Everything unfortunately." I say sharply, Warning him not to ask any more. "The decisions Shizuka made, led to the escape of her team mates and succes of the mission. Allowing herself to be captured was the best move, and something I probably had done myself. Besides that she managed to lock herself in her mind preventing her to break to whatever they did to her." I explain. "Her level is more than enough for a Jōnin. She deserves this, even though I'd rather keep her at home after what happened" I say. I smile. He always pretend not to care but he's so protective of his sister. "But you're always welcome to keep an eye on her whenever she's near" I wink. Shikamaru looks at me. "Yeah" Shikamaru says moving a piece on the board. "She can handle herself Shikamaru" I say, smiling as I look at him again. "I know. I just wish I was there you know. We probably would've found another way" he says. "But you weren't" I say. "She did the best she could and it was better than any other shinobi would've done" I say. "I guess" Shikamaru says. I move my piece, beating him in shogi again. "I'll train her a little better whenever she's healed enough. Let's both do. She'll never be captured again" I say. Shikamaru nods. "Never again" he says.