The shadow princess

Chapter 44

[Inuzuka Shizuka P.O.V.]

I stroke the head of the deer whose antlers I just cut. These deer are so loyal to the Nara family, they let us cut their antlers without struggling. "That's better isn't it?" I say softly, seeing my breath in the cold air.  "Thank you for allowing me to help you" I say softly. I stroke the deer and pat him slightly. "Go on now" I say softly. Graciously he walks past me. I watch him walk over to it's family as I sit down on a trunk of a tree next to a pile of antlers. I sigh deeply and take a scroll out of my bag. With a poof a crate appears. I cut the antlers in smaller pieces before dropping them in the crate. "You shouldn't be out here in the cold" I look up to see Shikamaru walking toward me. "It's fine" I say. "You're pregnant Shizuka, you shouldn't be doing this" he places his hands on his hips. "Their antlers needed to be cut" I say. "And I was on my way to do it" Shikamaru says. I turn back to the antlers in my hands. "It brings me peace" Shikamaru sighs as he sits down next to me. "These animals bring me peace. I miss them" I say. "They still allow you here. You're Nara by birth" Shikamaru says. "My kid won't be" I answer. Shikamaru looks at me. "You're nervous" he says a little surprised. "In a little less then five months I'll be a mom" I say softly and look at my brother. "What if I suck at it?" I whisper. "When have you ever sucked at anything?" Shikamaru smiles. "You'll be a great mom" Shikamaru strokes my hair behind my ear. "And the deer will accept him because you are his mom. They'll know." I look up and smile. "Let's finish this and get out of the cold huh? December cold sucks" Shikamaru says.

With my hand on my lower back I stir in the soup I'm currently making. "Tadaima" I hear Kiba says right after I hear the front door. "Okaeri" I say. It takes him a little while but then he walks into the kitchen. "How was your day?" I ask when he presses a kiss on my cheek. "It was fine. What's for dinner?" He asks. "Soup. But I'll fry you some beef" Kiba leans against the kitchen counter. "You're the best" he says and I smile. "How was your day?" He asks. "I got scolded by Shikamaru" I say. "Why?" Kiba raises his eyebrows. "I went to the Nara Forrest" I say smiling. "What were you doing in the Forrest?" Kiba crosses his arms but I see a slight smile on his lips. "Cutting antlers" I mumble. Kiba laughs. "You never change do you?" He asks. I shrug and take a spoon to taste the soup. "You know" I say after licking my lips as I like the taste of my soup. "I'm scared" I look at my husband. "I'm scared Kiba-kun. And these deers" I sigh. Looking out the window"They bring me peace. They relieve me from my anxiety a bit." I look at Kiba again. "Compare it to what your dogs to to you. I can't go to them as much as before. They're the responsibility of Nara men. And I miss them. But I have to visit them every now and then. Because I want them to accept my child also" I say. "And for myself" I sigh. Kiba smiles slightly. "I understand" he says. "But you're pregnant baby. You should be careful with physical labor" Kiba says. "I know. I am"  I say. Kiba smiles again. "Then I have no problem with you going there. Just dress warmly" I smile. "I will" Kiba pushes himself from the counter and kisses me. "I'm gonna take a shower" he says walking past me.

I reach out to the picture of my dad holding me, he isn't looking at the camera, he is looking at me with a big grin on his face. I look up with those big brown eyes while putting a piece of food in my mouth and there's drool all over my chin. "Otosan" I whisper as I stroke my finger over him on the picture while laying my other hand on my pregnant belly. "You know, sometimes I expect him to walk through the door at dinnertime" I pull my hand back and look at my mother. Mom smiles and strokes my hair behind my ear. "I'm glad you grew your hair. It's beautiful on you" she says. "Thanks" I mumble looking at the picture again. "I miss him so much" I sigh. "I just wish he was here for all this you know" I say softly. "I know sweetheart" mom says. "I remember that Shikamaru had a hard time about this too when Shikadai was on the way" she says. "It's not about Shikamaru right now Okaasan. It's about me" I say hurting, looking at her. "I know, I didn't mean it like that" mom says. "I wanted to say that he knows how you feel" she smiles slightly. I cross my arms as I turn to the pictures again. "I know you're scared and nervous. You miss your father and it makes you feel lonely" mom lays her hand on my back. "But talk to your brother. He had all the same feelings" mom says. I sigh deeply. "Fine" I mumble. "Come on, I made tea" reluctantly I walk with my mother. I walk into the room with Kiba and Shikamaru laughing loudly, Temari is sitting next to Shikamaru grinning and Shikadai is on Kiba's lap. "Where did you go?" Temari asks as I sit down next to my husband. "Went to the bathroom and came across a picture of me and my dad" I say. "I see" Temari smiles gently. Kiba rubs my back. "I'm fine" I mumble. I'm about to take my tea when Shikadai crawls over and lays his little hands and cheek on my belly. "Baby?" He asks. I chuckle and lay my hand on his back. "Yeah there's a baby in there" I say softly.