They are definitely father and son.

Temari watched with tenderness as Shikamaru cradled their crying son carefully, cupping the baby's head gently as if he were made of china. She couldn't help but grin tiredly at the expression of awe on her husband's face, his eyes wet and threatening to spill.

Crybabies.

Temari blinked and her own vision became slightly blurred.

I guess I'm not one to talk.

"It's alright." Shikamaru spoke to his child, his voice full of emotion and almost as if he were in a trance, "One day, you're going to realise you don't know everything as well as you think."

He took a deep breath but never broke eye contact. Temari didn't know why but she held her breath as well, she knew this was an important moment somehow.

"And when that time comes, you'll have definitely made comrades who will walk side by side with you."

The baby couldn't have understood what was being said, but he quieted down and stared at Shikamaru with wide and intelligent eyes.

Shikamaru continued gazing unblinkingly at his son, quietly murmuring, "I really can't say anything's troublesome from now on, huh…"

"You can say it a little." Temari said affectionately, "If it ever looks like you're getting so bad that you'll stop functioning…"

She gave a wide grin as she played with her son's finger.

"…then I'll intervene and send you flying back to your senses again. So, it's okay."

"Aa, you're right. Then…"

They shared a look and immediately had the same thought,

What will we call him?

Shikamaru finished his sentence, "…How troublesome."

Her husband made space on the bed and carefully, oh so carefully, placed the new-born between them. With one arm cradling the baby, Shikamaru moved his arm and took Temari's hand in the other. He bent and kissed her cheek, before turning to aim for her lips.

"Don't," Temari grimaced, "I'm a mess right now."

Shikamaru smiled and gave her a quick peck anyway, "You always look beautiful to me."

"Since when did you get so smooth?" Temari grinned and her eyes were sparkling, "What happened to the kid who always called girls troublesome and would get beaten up for it?"

"That kid grew up to look for trouble," her husband replied, "Speaking of that, what happened to the girl who always wanted to beat that kid up?"

Temari gave a laugh and leaned into Shikamaru. "The girl went mad and married the kid," she replied.

That the grumpy and lazy brat all those years ago would become her partner in life…it really was strange how life turned out.

Temari had a soft expression on her face as she looked at Shikamaru affectionately, she suspected that he didn't expect to marry someone like her either. A girl from a messed up family who was always desperately hiding her fears from the world.

They had done a lot of growing up since then.

As if complaining about the lack of attention, their baby began wailing again. His parents laughed and shushed him soothingly.

"We haven't forgotten you…" Temari smiled and turned to Shikamaru, "So any ideas for names?"

Shikamaru frowned, "We've never had a chance to talk about it."

She asked, "Didn't you say that Shikaku is out?"

"Yeah," Shikamaru replied, "Our kid's going to be part of the future. You shouldn't chain children to the past."

"Some people would call that heritage," Temari argued, "We need to teach them about their history."

"I know, that's why we're keeping the naming tradition of "Shika"." He said.

Temari gave him a look then, eyebrow quirked and a small frown on her face, "Oh really now?" she said coolly, "When did we agree on that?"

Shikamaru quickly tensed up, "I mean, that's if you are fine with that of course. It's just that…er…this has always been a quirk of my clan and I see no harm in-"

Temari tried her hardest not to laugh and Shikamaru must have noticed because he paused with a frown, "You're messing with me." He accused.

"Yoshino told me about this tradition already." Temari smiled, "I like it."

Shikamaru stared at her, "You do? You're not going to say that it's stupid or doesn't make sense or-"

"I like it," She repeated firmly, "I've accepted your clan's quirks when I married you."

Temari paused thoughtfully, "The ones I like anyway," she corrected, "And I like this one."

Shikamaru grinned happily and said, "Well that's half a name sorted, what about the rest of it?"

Temari paused thoughtfully as she tickled her son's nose. He sneezed, blinked his bright teal eyes and gurgled with annoyance.

He's definitely got a bit of me in him, she thought proudly, he'll be a fighter.

"Shikadai." She finally said, "It's a bit cheesy but…"

Temari glanced in a somewhat self-conscious fashion at Shikamaru, "What do you think?"

Shikamaru gave a slow smile as he stroked his son's head.

"Shikadai…" He rolled the syllables around his tongue, "I think that will do. That'll do just fine."

He grinned at his son with pride, "It's…appropriate."

Temari and Shikamaru smiled happily at each other then. They then returned to gazing at the newly named Shikadai, who had fallen asleep by now.

"He's going to grow up in a different world to us." Shikamaru said quietly.

"He's supposed to." Temari stated, "We worked hard for that."

He smiled at Temari, "We did."

Temari was silent as she remembered all the experiences they have had, all the emotions and all the choices they have made that had somehow lead to two people meeting in this moment. This moment where they are sitting together holding a new-born in their arms.

She squeezed his hand again for his attention and Shikamaru looked at her.

"I love you." Temari said.

Shikamaru looked a little surprised before replying, "I love you too."

"No, I really love you." She insisted.

Shikamaru grinned and gave her a soft kiss, full of his feelings which simple words couldn't convey. Temari closed her eyes and relaxed into the kiss.

"I know." He murmured into her lips, his eyes half closed and his soft breath tickling her.

It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining, their baby was sleeping and they were exactly where they should be and exactly who they chose to be. Neither Temari nor Shikamaru believe in perfection, but for a moment the world was…as close to perfect as it could be.

It's finally finished! Woo let's throw the confetti! I hope you guys have enjoyed reading this as much as I've enjoyed writing it. It wasn't easy and there were definitely better chapters than others, but it was certainly interesting. Thanks to all the lovely reviews and messages that I've received for this, I'm glad that this tiny story has brought a little enjoyment to some people's day.

It's a super cheesy happy ending but a bit of cheese is fine every now and again. I like this couple a lot and I like them more now that I have written this. Shikatema will forever be awesome and I will bite anyone who says otherwise.

I'd wanted a nice number (like 50) to end this story on and had actually considered writing up to the boruto movie which I see as semi canon. But I don't want to drag things out unnecessarily, especially as I have passed the peak of my interest in the series for a good long while now (Pretty much after Naruto had rescued Gaara I guess...).

I'm probably going to do a bit of tidying up of the chapters, maybe move all the A/N about. But this is pretty much it for this story.

Once again thanks for sticking around to those who have read this to the end. Especially those who have taken the time to write well thought out and analytical messages which I've hopefully replied to.

Any thoughts you have on this story is most appreciated and welcome at anytime, whether by reviews or PM, even if you've only found this story 5 years on from this message. I might just be the teensiest bit proud that I wrote such a long story...long for me anyway.

Apologies for all the long and rambling A/Ns I've subjected you to! And the excessive sarcasm! And the randomness!

As for future stories...I don't know if I will write anything for a good long while at least.

I hadn't even planned to ever return to this account if not for Shikatema. Who knows? If Izaya ever gets with Namie then maybe...haha that'll never happen.

But right now I need a break. And cookies.

Goodbye and thanks for all the fish!