Chapter Text
Little Shikadai frowned angrily, glaring up at the tree. More specifically on the small mewling kitten trapped on one of the upmost branches.
“How did you even get up there?”
He hissed at it, hoping for it to understand his language. But alas, the kitten tilted her head and mewled again.
He willed his fingers to scratch on the surface of the sturdy bark of the tree, using his legs to push against the ground. This was his sixth attempt on the mission to climb up the tree and retrieve the frightened kitten. He was able to proceed a little further than his previous try, before the grip off his fingers gave away and he slipped, falling on the grassy floor with a loud thud.
“Owww!”
He clutched his head, tears gathering in the corner of his eyes, a pout adorned his little face. The dirt clung to his clothes and he winced at the thought of the lashing he’ll recieve from his mother. He stood up again, dusting his clothes off before repeating the process again. This time he was not able to reach even the former mark before tumbling down again.
“Arghh!” He pulled out the grass in front of him in a fit of frustration. His parents made it look so easy! How?! Yes, they talked about inner life strength - Chakra and something. They also told him to use it, channel it through his veins, force and manipulate it to become his aides, his extra hands and legs.
But it was hard!
He’s been trying to learn to use Chakra for a while now but it didn’t work for him. He’s felt it, yes, definitely, a small flickering warmth inside him but it is so, so hard to modify the shape of it.
He made another attempt, this time falling straight on his butt, groaning in pain. He rubbed his eyes, not wanting the tears to leak out, but they still did. He got up on his feet, wagging his finger at the small feline angrily.
“You!”
He shouted but when a few more tears dribbled down his cheeks, his voice wavered.
“You…I’m sorry. I can’t save you.”
His tiny feet swiveled around and he ran away from the tree, using his palms to close his ears to stop the sound of the kitten’s loud helpless mewling to call him back again.
He was only a few metres away when his feet froze.
“Giving up already, eh, Shikadai?”
A voice that suspiciously sounded like his father called out. Shikadai turned his head in every direction to find any trace of his father, wishing to beg him to rescue the small animal. But sadly his father was nowhere to be found.
But then a scared mewl of the abandoned kitten echoed through out the area and Shikadai, scared for it, sprinted back to the tree again. The kitten was looking terrified but she moved to stare at him again with it’s big eyes when he appeared beneath her.
“Not giving up is such a drag, isn’t it?”
He asked the animal, smiling hopefully. He climbed the tree, this chance trying to concentrate on the lessons his parents gave him for controlling Chakra. This time, to his surprise, he was able to scale half of the tree. Delighted at his progress, he performed with much more vigour than before.
A memory of two weeks before flashed before his mind. When Boruto had done something similar to save a baby bird.
“If Boruto can do it then so can I, right?”
He talked to himself, making a little improvement every time. It went for a few more repeats. He would climb, he would slip and he would fall and then, do it all over again. The sun was setting now painting the sky in hues of red and pink. His face was littered with scratches and bruises. His pants were torn and dirt stained his shirt. But he didn’t mind.
A little more. Only a little more.
Finally reaching up, he felt an incredible joy when the kitten, relieved to have seen it’s saviour reach up, jumped on his chest.
But a child of five can only do so much.
The branch underneath him was fragile and the vigorous activity made it snap. Falling from that height was scary, beyond horrifying.
A scream ripped out of his throat but before he could feel the impact of the harsh ground, he was snatched in mid air. Enclosed in warm protective arms. His eyes immediately went wide at the sight of smiling brown eyes.
“Dad!” The child exclaimed loudly.
“Yo kid.” Shikamaru greeted his son with a grin.
“Dad I-”
Before Shikadai could continue, a tiny purring from the kitten trapped in between his arms and chest brought him out of the conversation. Shikamaru immediately deposited his son down with careful hands when an adult cat ran up to them.
“Must be it’s parent.”
He told his son. The boy nodded before letting go of the younger cat which instantly bounded up to the larger one with excitement.
Shikadai watched them with wide curious eyes, the felines were nuzzling each other. Though his gaze flicked upwards at his father when he felt a weight settle over his head. Shikamaru ruffled his son’s scattered hair lovingly.
“You did great, son.”
The grin that Shikadai blinded him with was so intense that Shikamaru felt as if his heart was going to melt. No matter how the everyone claimed that his son looked like him, Shikamaru could debate the best scholars of the entire world to prove that his son had his mother’s smile. The same tender brilliance that had won over his heart and defeated him in the best of his strategic logic with it’s shear strength.
“Ice-cream?”
He offered, with all intentions to reward his son.
“Yes! Ice-cream!”
…
He’s only a few steps away from his home when Temari rushef out, frantic.
“Shikamaru! Shikadai’s not home yet-”
Her words died in her throat when she realised that the small sleeping bundle on his shoulder is actually their son. He doesn’t hold back a smile when the worry on her face melts away to shock and then surprise and finally relief.
“What’s that?”
“Ice cream.”
He lifted up the small package in response to her question.
“Why?”
“Because he deserved it!”
He grinned proudly.
“Oh?”
“Yes, today he learned, you know. Something that makes the very essence of a Shinobi.”
Her eyes glow at his words, wishing to know the cause of so much pride in his voice for the small child. She should know. As much as he does. He tells himself. She’s his mother after all.
“Today, he learned, how much of a drag never giving up is.”
Her lips curved upwards into a familiar, much cherished smile and he felt blessed at the moment. To feel his child curling up in his warmth and to see his wife smile like that.
This is us. We’re happy. Father. Thank you.