Shikamaru's Adventure: Sinnoh

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D/C: I own nothing.

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"He misses you, even if he doesn't say it." Yoshino whispered sternly into the phone, she glanced out a window to see her five-year-old son, Shikamaru Nara, napping against a tree with a Munchlax leaning against him also taking a nap.

"You know if I could, I would be there for the both of you." Replied the voice from the other end. "It's a drag."

"Try to make some time, Shikaku." Yoshino whispered furiously into the phone, looking over her shoulder to see a clock that was hanging on the wall. "I have to go, have to check on the herd."

"I…I'll call later if there aren't any more challenges." Shikaku said dejectedly at not being able to talk longer. "Tell the brat that I'll try to see him soon."

"Promise."

"Promise."

-.-.-

"Munchlax use thunderbolt!" Now a slightly battered seven-year-old Shikamaru called out to Munchlax. Standing in front of them is a group of men and their Pokémon. Said Pokémon were either knocked out or close to being to it.

"Munchlax!" Munchlax called out and quickly used thunderbolt on not only on the opposing Pokémon but also to their trainers.

"You know…if there is something that I hate more than bullies…are poachers." Shikamaru said annoyed at the group in front of him. "Now leave, you're on private property."

The group quickly ran off in a hurry screaming their heads off from Shikamaru and Munchlax. Shikamaru let out an inaudible sigh and quickly leaned against a tree attempting to catch his breath. "It's safe now…"

Several minutes passed by one by one several Stantler popped their heads from behind trees and tall bushes. Many of the younger Stantler gathered around Shikamaru attempting to get him to play.

Shikamaru groaned, he lightly pushed them away as he started his way back home. "Mom is going through a fit…"

"There you are."

Shikamaru looked over to see his father walking out of the shadows of the trees. Shikaku is wearing an outfit that he only wears when he is at home, its' a simple light colored kimono and a haori with the Nara symbol on the back of it. He reached down promptly placed Shikamaru on his back to carry him back home. Shikamaru wrapped his arms around his father's neck and held on to him, looking over his shoulder to ensure that Munchlax was following him. The teal colored Pokémon was busying himself looking through his fur for fruit as he followed them.

"How long are you staying?" Shikamaru asked his father.

"Two months." Shikaku replied.

Inwardly, Shikamaru smiled. His father is home and staying long enough for his birthday.

"Munchlax?" Munchlax said curiously to Shikamaru.

Shikamaru frowned at the Pokémon. "Shut up."

"Munch, Munch, Munchlax." Munchlax continued.

"…Troublesome know-it-all Pokémon…"

"Munchlax!"

"I get it, jeez you don't have to yell."

"Why are you always arguing with your Munchlax?" Shikaku interrupted the argument between his son and Pokémon.

"I don't know/Munchlax," Shikamaru and Munchlax said in the same time with a shrug.

-.-.-

"I don't get it, why aren't you starting your journey here in Johto with Choji and me?"

Twelve-year-old Shikamaru Nara is communicating with his friends his friends, Choji Akimichi and Ino Yamanaka, with his black Pokegear. He is leaning against a railing of a ship that was taking him to the Sinnoh region.

"I would have thought you would have stayed since your dad is here for the next couple of months." Choji asked puzzled at the fact his friend's actions.

"That's it." Shikamaru said with a shrug, he began to sprang up a tale for his reasoning for his actions. "My parent's anniversary is soon and…"

"At least your mom finally got you to do something." Ino commented offhandedly.

"He always did something." Choji defended Shikamaru. "He protects all the Pokémon that lives in his family's land are protected."

"All he did is watch over a herd of Stantler which he mostly did while napping!" Ino snapped at Choji.

Shikamaru rolled his eyes as Ino started to rant, he looked up when he heard a loud horn signifying that they are near their destination. "Guys, I have to go."

With a quick goodbye, Shikamaru turned off his Pokegear with a sigh. He did not want to tell them that they were more or less right yet wrong at the same time. It was true, that he with his trusted Pokémon protected the massive herd of Stantler's and any other Pokémon in his family land from poachers albeit while taking a nap here and there. Shikamaru wanted his father to spend his time solely on Yoshino. It was a plus that Yoshino would focus any sort of anger towards Shikaku and not on himself.

'I have exactly eight months to get all eight badges, defeat the Elite Four and maybe the Champion too, to get into the Battle Frontier.' Shikamaru thought determinedly. 'That is the exact amount of time that Dad will still be in Johto before coming back here by then…I will be ready to challenge him to a Pokémon battle.'

"Munchlax!"

"…How the heck do you keep getting out of your poke-ball."

To be continued…