Cherry Blossoms Bloom

A Night with the Naras

“Ahhh! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you Shikamaru! I’m so happy for you! I was begging to think you were gay! You do spend an awful lot of time with Choji after all.” The short woman wagged her finger at Shikamaru.

Shikamaru and I looked over to the woman a little surprised by the sudden outburst. We had been watching A Haunting in Connecticut when she came in. When she saw my stomach she dropped her groceries and ran over to us and to my surprise, enveloped us in a huge hug. Needless to say I was a little freaked out by her.

“Mom. Could you please let us go so we can explain? And breathe.” Noticing her bone crushing grip on us she let go and fussed over me as I sat there awkwardly waiting for Shikamaru to step in.

Finally, after his mom had already told me, “Call me Yoshino. Or even mom if you like. Thank you for giving me a grandchild and sacrificing your body and youth.” It was all very strange and I thanked my lucky stars when Shikamaru stepped in.

“Mom, we aren’t like that at all. Temari and I are just friends and this is only for a health project at school. It’s really no big deal. Plus, she’s too troublesome anyway but then again, all women are.” That earned a smack from Temari and Yoshino. Shikamaru leaned back with his hands behind his head and was snoring in just a few seconds. Yoshino looked back to me.

“Well that’s a shame isn’t it? Your children would be so adorable too.” She sighed longingly. “Well, do you want to help me make dinner then? You’re staying for dinner right?” Without waiting for an answer, Yoshino grabs me up by the hand and drags me to the kitchen.

I will say that I am a very good cook and cook quite often for my brothers but Yoshino was a little crazy in this instance. I felt like she was passionate in everything she did. Including punishing her son. It honestly made me smirk. Men like him need to be beat to get them to do anything.

“Yoshino?” I call her name to see if she is listening.

“Yes Temari?” She doesn’t look up from the carrots she’s cutting.

“Did you really think Shikamaru was gay? Not that I have anything against it I just find that hard to imagine.” I suppose that question has been bothering me signs she came in.

Yoshino laughs and nods. “I did. He’s never had a girlfriend and him and Choji were completely inseparable. Of course Ino has always been around a lot but she obviously likes Choji so there’s no chance of that happening.”

I’m amazed. “You see it too then? At school they try to hide it but everyone knows anyway. Choji’s face was so funny when he was paired with Ino for this health project.” Yoshino was smirking evilly.

“Poor Choji. Inoichi is going to beat the crap out of him. It doesn’t matter if it is a project because he won’t listen to reason. I’m going to have to call Ino’s mom and Choza to video record it. What about your parents Temari? What will they say about this?” Yoshino’s question was meant to be harmless but when I didn’t say anything, she realized that her question had upset me. She made a move to comfort me before there was a knock at the door. She wiped her hands on her apron and walked swiftly to the front door.

“Oh, hi Asuma. It’s been a long time, and you brought Kurenai with you too. You guys finally got together? Why not? It’s so obvious that you guys have been sleeping with each other for almost a year. Oh just come in. We’re about to start dinner so you guys will be eating with us tonight.”

I heard footsteps coming down the hall and saw Miss. Kurenai come around the corner with Mr. Asuma. I guess you could say I was shocked when Yoshino said their names but now that they’ve seen me it’s sort of awkward. We all stood there and stared at each other until I couldn’t handle it anymore.