The Owl Princess - Extra #1

Summary: Yoshino has died shortly after giving birth to Shikamaru due to an assassination attempt by Iwa. After nearly completing the standard mourning period of one year, Shikaku now must consider marrying again, hounded by fangirls, ambitious kunoichi, and his Clan Elders. (Although those are still much more relaxed and lazy than the Uchiha Elders.) However, this is a matter of safety, the safety of his son. Enter a herd of extraordinarily intelligent deer, an unexpected Owl Summons Clan, and one worlds-traveling witch in search of a new purpose to life. (Fem!Harry)

PS: I now have a tumblr-account. It's the same name as on this site, just if you're interested in getting previews.

Hanemi June = Beautiful Feather, Obedience+Bay/Tree Branch

-Extra 1-

June woke up in a naturally-lit hospital room. Shikamaru was curled up against Shikaku's torso, sleeping peacefully. A small bassinet stood next to the uncomfortable chair they were occupying and contained an also sleeping infant. Her husband smirked lazily back at her, dark eyes roving over her body as if checking for any leftover injuries.
June couldn't help but smile a bit at that. She remembered how viciously he had fought to protect them the previous day. That he had stayed in this uncomfortable chair the entire night, keeping watch over their family, and sacrificing his own need for sleep... It evoked a small warm ball of fuzziness within her.
In that moment, June kind of fell a little bit more in love with Shikaku.

Her husband gently settled down next to her on the uncomfortable, unfamiliar hospital-issue bed and chastely pressed a kiss to her forehead. She carefully tugged him a little closer, so they could kiss properly.

Suddenly, the last 36 hours seemed like a bad nightmare. June knew she was safe with him, their children, and he would make sure she would continue to be. This man might not love her in the same way she did love him, but he definitely would lay down his life for those he considered 'his'.

"I love you," she blurted out, pretty much out of the blue. June herself didn't know where those words had come from. The cat was out of the bag now though, so she could hardly take it back.

Shikaku froze in place for a moment, before he leaned back down, very gently and softly kissing her like he had only done when they were in the privacy of their bedroom, after some mind-boggling, heavenly sex. June instantly relaxed, realizing what went unsaid for far too long, while enthusiastically returning the sentiment conveyed. One of her hands was carding through his long-ish brown hair, having loosened the hair-tie, in the way he liked best.

Shikaku separated them before things could heat up too much, but pressed another kiss to her forehead. "Troublesome woman," he muttered lowly, but his eyes were radiating with warmth and his lips were smirking at her, "I love you too."

She beamed back up at him, finally having heard what she'd desperately wanted to hear for years now. "Please give me my sons. I want to cuddle them," she requested with a bright, happy grin. Shikamaru was laid carefully by her side, continuing to snooze like only a Nara could. However, he instinctively curled up into her side, latching onto her deflated abdomen.

Then, Shikaku gently transferred the sleeping baby from the bassinet into June's arms.
This was her baby. He was beautiful, she decided. Their baby had a tuft of dark-brown hair, a pudgy face, and tan skin - compared to her own. She smiled down at him for a moment and then she looked up to meet Shikaku's knowing gaze.
With a slightly shaking finger, June traced over the soft features, familiarizing herself with the small freckles already dusted over his nose.

"He looks like Maru-chan," she said softly, smiling lovingly at all of her boys.
Shikaku smirked lazily in agreement, but his eyes betrayed a strange sort of masculine pride at the words.

Their older son woke and peered sleepily at the adults in the room. Then his eyes focused on the sleeping baby his Mama was holding.

"Maru-chan, do you wish to hold your otouto?" June asked quietly.
Shikamaru tensed, sending a questioning look towards his father. Shikaku simply nodded.

June carefully taught her step-son how to hold his little brother. They looked absolutely adorable together. Shikamaru stared wonderingly at the sleeping infant in his arms. But there already was a small protective, loving glint in his brown eyes, showing his acceptance of the new family-member.

And that's how June knew everything would work itself out. It always did, eventually.

Lady Kojika was released from the clan's medical bay in the morning of the second day after the kidnapping. Just in time to go home, bathe, and return to the main house. She prepared several nutritious meals for the small family of the clan head. No matter the outcome of the mission, Shikaku at least would appreciate the gesture. If only because it spared him the energy to think about what to eat for dinner.

She was finished with washing the dishes when she heard her grandson's low grumbles nearing. Shikamaru sounded relaxed, so Kojika knew that everything was alright.
Then the door opened and her breath caught in her throat. Shikamaru was carrying a small bag, the reason for his half-hearted grumbles, while his father was holding his exhausted wife tightly against his body. She had rested her head against his shoulder, eyes closed in sleep. Or at least Kojika assumed it was sleep.

However, then the older kunoichi picked up on the sleeping infant cradled against her daughter-in-law's chest. He was bundled up tighter than a wan-tan, his little face hidden in the blue fabric of a new kunoichi uniform. But there was no doubt that June had given her another grandson to spoil rotten.

Kojika smiled brightly at her remaining family, shooing Shikaku off to put his poor wife into a real bed and smothered Shikamaru in hugs and kisses.

Shikaku returned after a long moment, carrying her second grandchild in his arms. Kojika smiled happily at her family. If only her beloved late husband could see his lazy son all grown up and with his own sons!

Shikamaru settled on his father's other side, staring at the little one with unguarded curiosity. Shikaku gently fed the infant a bottle of formula, which told Kojika more about June's personal health than she would have gotten out of Shikaku had she asked.
"This is Shikaro, Mother. He was born at 2:35 last night."

Kojika studied the hungry babe carefully. He was very small indeed, yet that went hand in hand with preemies. His skin was lighter than Shikamaru's had been at birth, his hair a shade darker, but in everything else her newest grandson resembled Shikamaru (and thus Shikaku) quite a bit.

With a sighed 'troublesome', her son transferred the sleepy child into Kojika's arms. He was lighter than Shikamaru had been as well, she noted, but smiled warmly at the lazily blinking infant. His eyes were blue still, but she knew from experience that they would change into their true color soon.

"Welcome to the family, Nara Shikaro. Your parents, brother, and I shall always endeavor to take good care of you. Grow strong, wise, and tall, so you may raise the next generation to become strong, wise, and tall," Kojika said formally, repeating the old greeting with pride and love.

Her old heart was glad to see her son finally find lasting happiness in this marriage, crowned by another beautiful grandchild. She would happily welcome as many of them as the Gods granted June and Shikaku in their wisdom and benevolence.