Cookie Battle

Temari loved Saturday afternoons. It was that time of the week when all three of them would gather in the back yard, drink tea and simply enjoy each other's company. Shikadai was not allowed to play with his handheld console though and Shikamaru shouldn't smoke. Father and son would play Shogi sometimes and Temari would read or clean up her Tessen in quiet, letting the sounds and familiar fragrances of the orchard, and the fresh fertile earth caress their senses. Sometimes Shikamaru would talk about his experiences of the forth war in a humorous way, rarely exposing any of the painful memories that they harbored and Temari would laugh it all away.

Today was just another spring afternoon or so Temari had thought. As always it started with her bringing tea and Shikamaru setting up the Shogi board, when Shikadai let out a loud yawn and staring at his tea, he said almost blandly, " Mom can you make some cookies?"

What?! Temari almost yelled internally, arching a brow at the young boy's expression which was a mixture of bluntness that she got from her and nonchalance of his dad. And it made her all tensed up. Not only because the way he looked but because she absolutely hated cookies. Gaara used to love it though, well before all hell breaks loose and he became a little monster, Yashamaru used to bake him after his death and after Gaara was redeemed and had become a Kazekage, she could still see how secretly, in the middle of the night, he would walk up to the kitchen only to eat the cookies Matsuri had brought to him but that aside— Temari thought the little squirrel might have taken it after his uncle or not— She didn't even know if Shikamaru liked cookies or not.

Shikamaru's snort though dragged her out of her trail of thoughts. Temari frowned, looking at how Shikamaru casually sat on the ground, not even looking at her. Being his wife for more than 10 years she knew him that well to see what the smug smile spreading all over his face meant. And that made her even more irritated.

"It's troublesome but son—" He winked at the boy sitting opposite of him. "I don't think it's appropriate to ask your mom something she can't do."

That struck Temari like a lightening. How dare he? That crybaby surely had grown some balls throughout these years, sitting ever so calmly and speaking in such a nonchalant tone. Temari's fists tightened at her sides, her left eye twitching aggressively.

Shikadai gulped at his mom's expression. It wasn't good.

"Are you challenging me, Shikamaru?" Shikadai felt a chill ran down his spine at his mother's tone. It was silky, smooth, almost even charming but deathly nevertheless. Looking back at his father, it was shocking to see him so relaxed; it seemed as if he was even enjoying the teasing.

"You know sweetheart—" she began once again, her tone still sickly sweet. " It is a little offensive in front of our son." Temari narrowed her eyes as Shikadai backed away slowly, not wanting to end up a victim of his mom's wrath.

"Well it isn't offensive when it's the truth… honey."

Did he just say "honey"? Temari stood up at that, still glaring death daggers at the head of the Nara Clan. He didn't even blink, staring lazily at her, not even wavering.

Shikadai felt like their staring contest was going to last forever and he didn't want to be any part of that. He was stupid, he knew that he could always ask Auntie Hinata to bake him some cookies then why did he even bother? Gently trying to sneak away back inside, his mother's teal eyes froze him dead, held him hostage like some sort of a Genjutsu, except that it wasn't a genjutsu and she wasn't a part of Uchiha's clan it was just how scary it looked.

"What do you think you're going Shikadai?"

He gulped, looking between his mom and dad desperately. "Um… I… "

"You come with me, now!" She interrupted seriously, stomping to the kitchen she called, " Don't underestimate me darling. "

"Dad… did you really have to make her angry? I mean… you know it's troublesome." Shikadai stuttered as sweats formed on his forehead.

Shikamaru on the other hand shrugged, smiling at the young boy. "Yeah…it is troublesome but don't worry it's for the good."

"What are you even thi—" Shikadai began as Temari's voice rang out loud in the house, causing him to grimace.

"SHIKADAI!"

Shikadai truly didn't understand what kind of strategy his father was taking. This wasn't for the good, his mother would have probably murdered him. He looked over his shoulder, worried to move when his father started chuckling. "Go help your mom, trust me she's not angry enough to murder yet."

Sighing he had no choice but to stand up. " I'M COMING!" he yelled thinking, how was it fair that instead of his dad he was in trouble. And then it struck him, he was the one who wanted cookies.

This was a battle Temari wasn't going to lose. If Shikamaru had challenged to bake the cookies even though she didn't like it, she had to do it. Years of watching Yashamaru baking cookies and then seeing how Yoshino baked them, taught Temari well. But she wasn't going to repeat Shikamaru's mom recipe. That would be too obvious. She went for the recipe her uncle used with cinnamon.

So she really was trying to bake cookies. Shikadai felt relieved, watching her walk around the kitchen as she added ingredients and stirred the mixture. All in a while he had no choice but to help her. The thing it Shikadai never had realized how fun it could be to help his mom baking cookies. She was calm when she was working, focused, even kinder than usual which wasn't often and he enjoyed spending his time with her.

And three hours later they were ready. In the kitchen they were all sitting, Temari looking like a diplomat staring at a war map and Shikamaru looking satisfied, whilst Shikadai tried to keep his mouth from watering, looking anywhere but the delicious looking cookies. He shouldn't touch them until his mom said so.

And in the middle of the table was the glorious plate full of cinnamon cookies. Their aromatic fragrance overpowered every other scent that lingered in the room. its delectable aroma pervaded the air- a mélange of honey dew, cinnamon, preserves and dabs of crackling nuts. So very tempting to grab and simply indulge in this decadent pleasure. Shikadai thought even merely inhaling the gorgeous scent, made him insane. He wanted to devour the plate so badly.

"Alright gentlemen," Temari was the one who broke the silent, glancing at both the son and the father. "You can take one at a time."

It was difficult to take a bite from the cookie under the watchful eyes of his mother but it was so tempting. And the first bite was like great ecstasy running through his veins. A delightful flavor flooded his mouth and his senses basked in its luscious taste. There was a friable crunch, tangs of zest, all to a coalesce to form a truly delicious dish- cinnamon honey baked cookies. Nothing like he had eaten before, not like aunt Hinata or Granny Yoshino's.

"Well?" Temari began, her voice soft and motherly even a hint of smile and satisfaction clear in her voice. "How was it?"

Shikadai was too busy to even response, but he knew who she was asking. Shikamaru swallowed the last bite, wiping his hands, wanting to even take another one when Temari grabbed his wrist. Arching both brows, she asked again. "Did you like it baby?"

Shikamaru stared at her for a little while but Shikadai knew even his father couldn't resist the deliciousness of the cookies. "It was good." Shikamaru simply answered, shrugging he continued. "Could be even better if you practice more."

Shikadai would have facepalmed at that if his hands weren't full with two cookies. And his father was supposed to be the smartest man in the whole Shinobi nation. That was enough for Temari to let go of his wrist and take the plate away from his reach.

"Hey Tema—"

She stood up, undid her apron and threw it to his face. "Well I'd like to see how you bake it."

He wiped the remains of flavor from the apron on his hair, sighing." Troublesome." He whined. "This isn't a battle, woman."

"Yeah it isn't that's why you can't GIVE UP crybaby!" She said giving the plate to Shikadai and patting his head kindly.

All these delicious cookies and Shikadai thought he really felt bad for his father but he kind of deserved it this time. Besides he could thank him later for the great strategy he came up with that made his mom bake them cookies.

He held back his chuckle when his father got up desperately, shuffling around the kitchen with the apron on, having no choice but to come up with another great plan, this time to bake cookies.

That meant even more cookies. And he didn't mind if it happened every Saturday. For all the eternity.

Cookies were Life.

A/N:

Hey everybody, I thought since today's my birthday, I present myself a sweet ShikaTemaDai moment. I love their little squirrel and since the new show "Brouto" has started I Think I'm liking him even more. He has the composure of his dad and the bluntness of his mom and it's perfect!

So who's watching the new series? Not as good as the first one but I enjoy watching all my children grown up and being mom and dad and their little kids walking around. The storyline is getting serious even though I hope all the theories about Naruto dying are rumors. But who knows? gotta watch the show and keep up with the storyline to find out!

So again, Can I get some free reviews for my birthday?!

Cinnamon Cookies for you all

See you around

Cheers,

Bella