Author's note: Hello Everyone! :)) Here is my second entry in #ShadowMindFathers Event! :))
I was so happy with the feedback to "Date?Who?" that I wanted to write a sequel... I hope this one can satisfy your liking again... because I love this so much as I typed this down..
By the way this is a song fic... the tittle is "A Father's Song"... I don't really know the artist I just found this on google when I searched "Songs about fathers addressing their sons about weddings" and when I clicked this.. I found out it was so perfect...
I actually have a song in mind for Inoichi's perspective.. I had formulated it first even before this one... but I haven't typed it yet and it's so late here... in where I am so I'm just going to post that next time.. :))
Anyway, just a reminder...
onceuponabloodynight= normal
"onceuponabloodynight"= conversation
'onceuponabloddynight'= thoughts
onceuponabloodynight= flashback
*onceupoabloodynight* = song
Now please read and enjoy! :))
Disclaimer:
Chapter 1: Shikaku's Perspective
Shikaku was awakened even before the sun shine. That's not typical. Normally, Shikaku will wake up when the sun is at its peak and that is always because his wife is shouting at his ear just to wake him up.
He walks out of the room and into the hallways. He stopped at the living room and sat on the couch. His eyes caught a glimpse of an album. He started looking at all the photos his eyes passed on by and pondered at the memories they hold.
There was a picture of him and his wife. It's their wedding picture. Right next to it was a picture of him and Yoshino where he was smiling so widely while both he and Yoshino are holding his wife's bulging tummy. Yes, it was a photo taken right after Yoshino announced she was pregnant. He insisted they should capture the moment.
*A man walks on this earth
For not so very long
And he wonders what
He'll be remembered by
When he is gone.*
There was a picture of Yoshino; still in her hospital gown, and Shikaku smiling at the new born baby. It was a shot Choza had taken before rushing towards the next room where Inoichi's wife is also going to deliver a baby. He recalled that Shikamaru never cried after the delivery that everyone thought he was dead. But when Yoshino and Shikaku held the baby, it moved a little that everyone were so happy he was alive.
*So he struggles through the years
Down a road he paves
With hopes and fears
Trying to carve his name
Upon the wall of time.*
There was also a picture where Shikamaru was sleeping on the floor while Shikaku was squatting and frowning at the boy. It was a stolen shot by Yoshino. He remembered that was the day Shikaku and Yoshino decided to teach Shikamaru how to walk but the boy slept instead.
*And so it is, my son
That I stand here now
Looking o'er the years
Of all the sweat and tears
That crossed my brow.*
There was also a picture of Shikamaru, Choji and Ino. Shikaku can't help but chuckle at it. He can still remember how irritated Shikamaru is at Ino. It was the first time their families held a get-together. Choji and Shikamaru quickly clicked while both were a little distant with Ino.
"Shikamaru, why aren't you playing with Ino? Look at her, she looks so lonely." Shikaku said as he approached the boys who are currently watching the clouds while eating chips.
"But she thinks we're lower specimen of homo sapiens or that's what she says. And she bosses me and Choji around. She thinks she knows everything." Shikamaru reasoned nonchalantly while Choji nods his head to agree.
Shikaku sighed, "She's a girl. And what did I teach you of how you should treat girls?"
Shikamaru sighed and stood up. He began to trudge towards Ino while Choji is closely following him. Shikaku smiled as he watched the kids interact with each other.
*All the battle plans I drew
And all the mountains
That I tried to move
Lay behind me now
Like miles of sifting sand.*
There are also pictures of Shikamaru growing up. Most of them are pictures that are taken without his knowledge. He looked at all them in awe.
There's a picture of his son on his first day in academy, another one when he graduated. There's also a lot picture of him with his team displayed in their living room. There's also a picture of him when he became a chunnin. His eyes then gaze at the next pictures with a mixture of happiness and sadness.
(chorus)
*But of all the things I've done
I'll never be more proud
Than of you, my son
And of all the dreams I've had
It meant more just to hear
You call me "dad"
More than any wealth or fame
Or any glory I wish I could claim
More than anything I'll ever do
Son, I'll always be most proud
Of you.*
"Shikaku." His wife called. Shikaku looked around to see his wife. Her eyes are already strained in tears. Shikaku motioned his wife to sit beside him and she did.
"Shikaku, our boy is growing really fast, eh?" Yoshino asked. "I never thought this day would soon come."
"It's alright Yoshino. He will always be our son. Whatever happens, wherever he is, he will always be." Shikaku said as he tried to calm his wife down.
"Alright! The sun is almost shining. Let's stop getting so emotional." Yoshino said as she laughed and wiped her tears away. "Let's start preparing. I don't want us to be late on this special day. Come on, Shikaku!"
Yoshino stood up and left the living room to go to the bedroom. Shikaku glanced one last time at the last picture in the album before following his wife.
*Now you stand before me, son
On this golden day
And it's plain that you're a man
No more a child at play
But through a haze of tears I see
That little boy
Who once looked up to me
And realize that I'm the one
Who now looks up to you.*
Shikaku fixed his tie before marching out of the bedroom for the second time today. He walked again in the hallways but this time he stopped in front of his son's room. He peeked in the room because his wife was asking him to check if Shikamaru is ready. Shikaku was shocked at what he saw.
*But of all the things I've done
I'll never be more proud
Than of you, my son
And of all the dreams I've had
It meant more just to hear
You call me "dad"
More than any wealth or fame
Or any glory I wish I could claim
More than anything I'll ever do
Son, I'll always be most proud
Of you.*
Shikaku kept staring at the man in the room. In a distance he would seem to be clone of him. 19 years ago he looked just like the man he was staring at. Intelligent looking, very muscular and full of dignity but he knows deep inside this demeanour the man he is ogling at feels the very same feelings he felt 19 years ago; nervousness.
"Dad." He heard the man called. Shikaku looked at his son who was looking at his reflection at the mirror.
"Your mom is asking if you are ready. You know the groom shouldn't be making his bride wait." Shikamaru chuckled a little.
"I know. It's just that…. How do I look?" he said, his voice strained and unsure.
Shikaku smiled, "You look dashing. I am sure Ino would be stunned to see you." They both smiled at each other. Shikamaru walked out of the room, his dad accompanying him towards his waiting mom.
"Dad… did you feel this nervous when you married mom?"
"Yes. I thought of so many things that can happen like; what if your mom does not appear in our wedding, what if there was an accident along the way to the Hokage's Tower, what if our marriage was a failure, and so many more. But do you know what makes me keep going?" Shikamaru did not answer. Shikaku took this as a cue to continue.
"It's the happiness to be with the woman I love the most, the picture of a having a child with her and raising a family with her." Shikaku smiled at his son.
"So relax, Shikamaru. Things would all be alright. Maybe not at first, but you just need to endure everything and I assure you happiness waits in the end. I promise."
Shikamaru smiled at his dad, "Thank you dad!"
"Boys, come on. The wedding is about to start." His wife called. Both Shikamaru and Shikaku rushed towards the woman waiting on the porch.
AN: Thank you for reading! Please leave a review if you like... :))
So my loves... this is not yet the end.. this fic has a second chapter.. I'll upload that next time... :))