Chapter 35: Thinking of the Future

*POV Sasuke*

The news of my nephew was announced before the village that night. I was not present as I searched threw the clan law. Nothing would grant me my rightful place other then his death. I knew though that would cause war. Mebuki assured me she had backing from four other clans and the Hokage.

"Newsss Massster," said a small snake "Lord Orochimaru finally tracked down a sssscroll about Jinchiruki and the feelingssss you have,"

"Took him long enough," I said taking the scroll he summoned. I went to tell the snake the new problem but still promised him a child from Akemi. The snake then left and I went to reading the scroll. It seemed to be the study of the first two-tailed Jinchiruki. She was apparently a scholar and studied her beast. She found out about mates and mating rites. She had left me everything I needed.

I must have triggered a rite during the time at the Valley of the End. There was two was to meet the rites, willingly or force. I had cuts on my arm and likely we transferred blood and it seems it didn't have be much. That met the requirement by force and I would bet my eyes that the Nara had at least one rite down. Even more so that he was her soulmate but I could still take her.

If I took the last requirement, chakra, by force I would be in the final of stage. I would have to have her submit to me sexually and the marks she made on my skin as I forced myself in her would be our final mark bounding us until we died. With a little help form Orochimaru I might just be able to get to that last stage. Even better was once complete she and her beast would be under my control giving me full control over her power.

The Nara would pay dearly for it. He would be forced to watch as I took his mate and side bore my children. He would lose his mind slowly and likely kill himself knowing he could never be with her. She would be mine and no else could touch her.

*POV Shikamaru*

Things were troublesome after the announcement. They still didn't know what to think and the month was coming to a close. Sasuke though behaved on his birthday acting as it was no big deal. For all of us that grew up with him knew better though. He was searching for away to gain the power he lost back.

His wedding to Sakura was coming though. It was now only days away and she wouldn't shut up about it. She gloated to Ino as she did the arrangements for the wedding as if Ino still cared. Sadly as heir I had to go. All head families were invited even though in a month he would have another with his other bride.

The weren't the only troublesome things though. Today I was called to my fathers office and there waited two clan elders. They had been around since my fathers grandfather was clan head and with them here I knew I was in for it.

"What is this about?" I asked directing it at my father.

"The elders have some concerns," my father said sitting at his desk as the stood to the sides. Shin and Taro the two head elders. "It is about your relationship,"

"Why is it a concern?" I said "We have been open since just after the attack at our Chunin exams. You have never shown any issue with this,"

"There is nothing wrong with her except," Shin said "well she is a clan head,"

"And has been since shortly after that,"

"Our concern falls to heirs," Taro said "With all that has happened with Uchiha it is a cause for concern."

"Heirs!" I said "That is what you are worried about."

"Shikamaru you are in a unique circumstance," my father said. "You both hold unique bloodlines and though there have been marriages between clans like both there has never been a marriage between the heirs or heads."

"Naru is a sweet girl but," Shin said "We did not expect your relationship to go this far,"

"We can have more then one child to have an heir for each clan," I said "Naru likely will understand,"

"And if the first pregnancy is to much," Taro said "We all know her condition. Lady Mito was lucky to survive her pregnancy and Lady Kushina…,"

"We can find away," I said knowing unlike the last hosts Kurama cared for Naru.

"Or you start looking for someone else,"

"WHAT!" both my father and I yelled.

"You can't be serious," my father said.

"It is logical," Taro said "She needs an heir for her dying clan. She could manage one pregnancy with little risk to her or the village so a single heir. Shikamaru is your only heir and for the last three generations only one heir survived to produce a child. This means few in the clan are truly close enough to the main family. Shikamaru also as the strongest affiliation to the shadows then any living Nara. His heir would bring back the strength we need,"

"I assumed this was only to push for an heir not try and convince my son to leave the women he loves,"

"I will not be leaving Naru!" I yelled slamming my fist on the desk. Defiantly not the best idea as I hit a glass dish shattering it and cutting my hand. "When the times comes I will make sure there is an heir for the clan. I do not need your approval on who I marry according to our laws. Only the head can dictate that and my father seems to be on my side. So you will have your heir when I am damn well ready,"

I then left not even caring for my bleeding hand. I just walked mindlessly ignoring those around me. I went up to the monuments and looked over the village to think and cloud gaze. They had some points though that stuck.

Naru and I would both need heirs for our clan. There was no way to be sure that any child we had would have my bloodline or hers. It didn't matter to me what the child had but Naru and I had never talked about it. Heck I didn't know if she even thought about it, I really hadn't.

"Tell me," I turned to see Naru with a first aid kit. She walked next to me and grabbed my hand to clean it. "Your father said you left but wanted me to check on you. So what happened at the meeting tonight,"

"The elders wanted to discuss heirs," I said

"Really is this cause ass is getting married in a few days and will likely have her knocked up by the end of the year?" she asked pulling glass out of my hand. "I mean we are both not yet 16 so we can't marry yet. I love you but Konoha has laws,"

"No though that likely triggered the problem they thought up,"

"What problem?"

"Us,"

"We are a problem?" she asked with concern on her face.

"For them we are. My father shot them down when they said what they thought he wasn't aware of the full extent they wanted to talk about," I said. "We haven't talked about children,"

"One day for sure," she said with a smile. "Can you imagine little you look a likes with my energy,"

"Oh Kami," I said with a laugh. "That wasn't their main concern though,"

"Our bloodlines and clan status," she said to which I nodded as she finished my hand. "I am at least one of our children will share your ability. Kurama already has said I won't have the issues of the prior hosts so having as many as we need will not be an issue due to him. He even made sure I could have children after the Valley of the End,"

"What happened?"

"One of the wounds he healed," she said and rubbed her lower stomach. "A kunai hit my tub on onside and ovary on the other. He healed it though and has assured me there is not even scare tissue so I will be perfectly fertile when he stops holding of my cycle which he does to avoid mission issues. And due to my Uzumaki genes I have a longer window then other women so we can wait until the whole Akatsuki thing is handled if needed. It would be safer plus...,"

"There won't be a chance they lose you like that," I said cupping her face. She didn't want to leave her children without her like she lost her parents. It was one thing in battle as it was ninja life but the way a Jinchiruki was treated and the tailed beast taken did damage not only to her but the village and likely any child we had here. "Even if we have them before I won't let that happen,"

"Promise me something," she said looking up with tears in her eyes. "If we have children and I die you will be there for them. One of them will have to take over housing the fuzzy ball and I don't want them treated like I was. Things are changing but I…,"

"I promise," I said "but you have to promise you will do everything you can to come home to me and to them. I will do the same,"

I gave her a kiss before helping her up. We then went to her place for dinner before heading for bed. As we lay there I watched as she slept and knew I had to do something special. She all but said yes to being my wife. So as she got up I wrote a letter sending off with one of the otters for the toads and tomorrow I would talk with Kakashi.

~With a Perv~

Alone once again. I use to love it but after so long with Naru the silence was eerie. She was safe though and that is what mattered. I taught her pretty much all my secrets and even the things I hadn't I was leaving for her. With no children of my own she was the closet thing I had to a child.

I was lost in thought looking into the fire when a messenger otter popped out of no where. I was a little surprised but took the scroll hoping everything was alright in the leaf. It wasn't from Shikamaru though and as I read I could not stop the smile.

Lord Jiraiya,

I know it seems a little odd to be writing you but I have something I must ask.

Naru is very special to both of us but I know that she is much like your child. I also know she has a special place in her heart for you as well. So I would like your permission for her hand in marriage.

I know you are aware of the mating rites that both of us are part of due to Kurama but I want to do this right. I want to marry her even though that is stronger then any paper. The next step of the rites will be sometime after her birthday with the last step early next year as long as nothing happens. I also want to do it right and feel asking you and Kakashi is the way to go. Just know either way I will be asking her though I assume you will both accept.

Please send word back with the otter as I plan to ask her tomorrow night.

~Shikamaru Nara

"Well the kid is bold," I said grabbing a small scrap paper and writing back. I knew this was coming and it was nice enough for the boy to ask. I could not deny that it made me happy that Naru had found someone that would stand with her not feel she was fragile and had to be protected. I could only hope I could make it to give her away.

~Next Day Konoha~

Jiraiya had answered back quickly. So the next stop was to Kakashi the next morning. Naru was off to Mao's shop. It was the first time she would really get a good look at it. This gave me a chance to talk with Kakashi.

"Do you have a mission today?" Tsukiko said as he let me in. Rinka was sitting at the table with Kakashi who was trying to get her to eat but she only ended throwing a pancake to the face.

"No we are off until after Sasuke's wedding," I said "I came to talk with Kakashi-sensei,"

"Naru?" Rinka asked looking around.

"No Naru with me," I said with a laugh. Rinka had become close to Naru already since she had been home. "If we could talk privately,"

"Of course," Kakashi nodded before wiping syrup off his face. He then lead me to his office but walked out to the outer doors and looked out to his backyard. There was a few small cabins, remnants of when the Hatake clan had more then three members and in the center a training area. "So what is this about?"

"I would like to ask Naru to marry me," I said. He turned to look at me a little surprised.

"This have anything to do with the wedding coming up?"

"Yes and no," I said "My clan elders approached me yesterday and had some concerns which were rooted in the fact of the wedding. I want to show her I will stand by her side threw the toughest times. I love her Kakashi and I want to do this right,"

"And what of your clan?" he asked "What was there concern?"

"Heirs and knowing the risk the other hosts took," I answered before clearing my throat. "Naru and I have discussed this though and came to a solution. The elders concern is unfounded and resolved."

"Well then," he said "I give you my blessing with one request,"

"What is that?" I asked and he moved behind his desk. He bit his thumb and placed it on a panel which then opened. He then took out a small box.

"Use this to ask her," he opened the box and there inside was a beautiful silver ring. The band looked like branches with small diamonds in the shape of leaves. A larger, but not to big, deep blue stone was in the center. It was elegant but not over the top. "The center stone is a sapphire. This was the ring her father used to purpose to her mother. I had it here after their deaths as the Third gave it to me for safe keeping,"

"It would be my honor," I said taking the box and closing it. I then took leave to go to back to my house. There my father was doing his paperwork and waved me in.

"I am sorry for yesterday," he said motioning for me to sit. "If I would have known there full intention I would not have allowed it,"

"It is fine," I said still standing. "Naru and I discussed it and it won't be an issue. Kurama is on Naru's side and has even assured her ability to have children when he could have easily stopped it. I come though today as a courtesy of tradition,"

"Oh," my father said seating back noticing my more formal approach.

"I wish to ask Naru to marry me," my father kept his calm face but had a small smile. "I have asked her godfather and brother and they have both given me there blessing. I have a ring and wish to do so if possible in the clearing in the forest between our two lands,"

"Add where would you be living?"

"Her compound likely," I said "Even when I become clan head it will be manageable and all official Nara business or functions can be done here. The forest is between us is on our land and leads to her clan heads home so no issue will arise. This home you and mother can stay in as well. I say her compound as her clan still needs to gain structure that we already have. Me living off our land is more logical."

"That is true," he said then smiled "I give you my blessing,"

"Thank you," I said

"Now go set up," he said "I am sure a deer will be able to get her for you from her place,"

With that I was gone and into town. I saw Karin and told her to keep Naru busy today then it was of to the next stop was the flower shop to get flowers and lots of them. Thankfully Sakura had decided against roses after they had gotten a bunch so I could easily get a tone. Then it was off to get a few dozen candles before setting it all up.

The deer were helpful as well. The spread out the petals and placed a few intact roses well I placed the candles every few feet. I surrounded the spring so it was easy to see as the sun fell. I soon lit all the candles and waited as the lead buck walked to get Naru.

*POV Naru*

Karin had kept me busy all day. I was hopping to spend time with Shikamaru today after everything yesterday. It had to be hard hearing that especially as we hadn't discussed children. I could see a house full though. Little red, blond, or black haired children running around causing chaos.

I even had dreamed a few children. A little girl with blond hair with red like my own but violet eyes playing with Shikamaru. A little black haired boy with blue eyes running around as we tried to catch him. There was so many children I saw and normal with Shikamaru acting like an amazing father to them and I made my heart melt.

I walked into my home only to hear a knock noise. I followed to see a large buck at my back door. I was confused so I walked closer. It was a Nara deer for sure but they had never come this close to the house. Sometimes I could see them from the balcony but only far off. He moved toward the wood line and turned back looking at me.

I took that as my que to follow. As we got in a little father I noticed candles and flowers creating a path. I picked up the full roses as we went deeper into the forest. Soon lots of light could be seen along with a pacing Nara.

"Shikamaru," I said walking into the clearing and he turned. He came over with a smile and pulled me closer to the spring.

"Naru," he said obviously a little nervous. "You are the best thing that has ever happened me. You give me a challenge everyday, something that has never stopped since meeting you. You a beautiful and strong and though fate deiced we were mates I wouldn't have it any other way and I look forward to standing by your side fight with you threw everything,"

"Shikamaru," I said as he started getting down on his knee. He then pulled out a box and I could finishes my thought. As he opened the box I saw a ring I had only ever seen in pictures, my mother and fathers pictures

"Naru Uzumaki will you be my wife?" He asked and I had one answer. I dropped now and kissed him with such force we fell to the ground. He laughed a little as we released the kiss before asking "Is that a yes?"

"That is a yes," I said with a laugh as he placed the ring on my finger and I kissed him again. Ten years ago I was kicked out to the streets at the age of the orphanage. I had little hope of surviving but made it threw. I gained friends and family threw out the year. Even three years ago I would not have imagined I would have this every. I never imagined my clan being more then me or being happy to share my life with someone or even getting to chose who I would marry.

Without Shikamaru I likely would never have had this. I would still be on team 7 or maybe dead not caring weather I had someone to come home to. Now I had the rest of our lives and our future to look forward to.

Read, Review, Follow, and Fav

So another one down. I thought this would be nice but have a new thing I am going to try. I am going to post this but after this I am going to get a few chapter done and saved. This will be so I am ahead if I get stuck or lose motivation. I have a lot of stories, and even only just remember I lost one completely when my laptop crashed last year, that I want to work on. Many of the stories need complete overhauls. So I figured get 3-5 chapters written ahead of time so I am ahead. I have been doing this with my Queen of Dragons and my Dragonborn series I am writing and think it is a good option. This way at least once a month you all can get an update and I will set a date of the month for them. Once I get far enough ahead updates might even get a regular schedule.

I also may be getting a new job soon. I haven't had a steady paycheck for a few years now and really need it. So this method should help once I get a job. I was just able to get a new car (well a 2008 but new to me) so getting a job will be much easier now.

I will try to post what I can on my Twitter and I have created a Facebook page called Covley Hatake Fanfic so I can update on that for those that don't use twitter. I do have a poll on my twitter right now though. It is weather Asuma should die. You have three choices. He dies like normal, he survived, or he gets injured in a way he can not stay a ninja but he lives. Got to the poll on twitter or comment it is there but I will take it in review as well. And no clue how I didn't notice but this story is over 150,000 words like damn. Any way hope you all enjoy.

Until the waves meet their end,

~Covley Hatake