The Vanishing Love

From a very young age, Asuka knew she wanted a family of her own someday. Her upbringing may have a role to play in this desire, having been quite isolated in her early developing years as to prepare her for her role as Guardian, but all Asuka knew was that she wanted a spouse and maybe a child or two down the road. She may have also been influenced by her large family and clan, with her parents having Asuka and her horde of nine siblings as they communally lived with their clan members within the compound. Whatever the case may be, Asuka wanted to settle down one day just as her parents had and have a life of semi-domesticity, as much as an individual of her repertoire could in the shinobi world. That is what made falling in love and later marrying not just one but two individuals even sweeter.

Shikamaru and Asuka had grown up alongside each other from the ages of six and eight years old; their parents were close friends with one another and they had pushed for the two of them to be the same. They became friends, next classmates, then best friends, followed by comrades, and finally, much to no one's surprise but theirs, lovers. Falling in love with Shikamaru had gradually become entangled with falling in love with a certain blonde Suna native, with both Asuka and the lazy Nara actively interacting with Temari on diplomatic missions within and outside of Konoha. Asuka's near death during the final battle of the Fourth Great Ninja War, along with the loss of her father and Shikaku Nara, had stirred up the buried feelings between the trio and slowly, they grew to express their love for one another. Temari had been the one to take Asuka out on a date first, though the then eighteen year old herself had been unaware it was one until the Suna kunoichi blatantly pointed it out to her amidst drinks. It was Shikamaru that approached her next, taking her to all their favorite locations and having the pair of them do their shared past times with one another. Just as they laid to watch the clouds coast whilst the sun was setting, Shikamaru admitted that he had something to tell her and much to her honest surprise, the usually lazy Nara took an initiative and kissed her.

Asuka would be lying if she tried to say that two admittances of attraction from two close friends was not overwhelming, kami it was near chaos in all actuality. Everything only made sense when the two approached her as a united front after a meal amongst friends and quietly informed Asuka that they had asked her mother for her blessing and the Aikawa clan head had given them the right to court the young Aikawa. That night had ended in concealed and fervent kisses under the stars, with the three of them finding sanctuary within Shikamaru's residence. They attended Naruto and Hinata's wedding as hidden lovers, with touches light and playful throughout the day. Only four months into their courting, as Temari was visiting on a diplomatic call, Asuka's world was thrown off kilter when Shikamaru and Temari asked her for her hand within Aikawa tradition, presenting her with handmade gifts of things Asuka was fond of. As Temari gifted her with a necklace with fox and ninken charms made out of silver from her homeland, the lazy Nara carefully handed her a ring of dandelions crafted from tungsten and amethyst. The charms represented Gaea and Kajirumaru clearly and the ring was telling of the first time Shikamaru and her met one another, Asuka having taught the young boy how to make jewelry out of the flower like weeds. Both of her lovers gazed at her with anxious eyes, clearly awaiting her answer and all Asuka could do in that moment was ask them to outfit her with their gifts. They did so eagerly and from that day forth, she never took either pieces of jewelry off her person, even to the present day. The ring now hung with the charms, her wedding ring having taken its place, and Asuka treasured their gifts with every fiber of her being.

Her eyes drifted downward to the necklace with loving fondness as she came to fiddle with it. It was slightly worn due to friction and loving touches, a truth that always made Asuka smile. Her husband and wife often played with it as they lay beside one another in the early mornings and late evenings, during times of rare relaxation and fun. Their sweet and brilliant son had come to be fond of it as an infant, forever pulling on it and attempting to place it within his searching mouth on numerous occasions. Even at the age of eight years old, Shikadai would often play with it as Asuka read him bedtime stories or whilst they all snuggled in bed on the rare occasion that neither she nor Shikamaru were not being dragged into work like usual. In the end, the gifts were everything to her, for it symbolized the love and dedication the three of them had towards one another and their young son. The pearl angel that hung beside the others on her necklace represented something much heavier though.

Upon marrying, even before that, Asuka knew she wanted a family of her own, with a spouse, kids, the whole package deal. With the Nara and Aikawa elders, along with the Suna and Konoha council harassing the trio for an heir to the Nara clan and the continuation of the Kazekage and Aikawa bloodlines, they worked to conceive their first child. Asuka had been the one to volunteer herself for carrying said child, Temari frankly being unenthused with the thought of growing a child within herself, and after five months of fruitless trying, they were informed that no child would ever come forth from her womb. The stab wound she endured amidst Pain's assault at the tender age of fifteen had caused damage to her uterus and right ovary, which in turn lessened her ability to conceive dramatically, to the low single digits to be precise. What truly hammered the final nail in the coffin was both Shizune and Sakura mournfully confirming that even if Asuka did manage to conceive, no child she carried would make it to term. The news had been devastating and even now, nearly nine years later it still made her heart ache in bitter agony. Her chance at motherhood had been stolen from her before she could have even thought of being one, her life having been so preoccupied with doing her job as Guardian at the time.

Temari falling pregnant had been a difficult pill for Asuka to swallow, enough that the Aikawa was absent for the first four months of the Suna native's pregnancy. Those four months had been spent on missions, drinking, and avoiding the hard truth that reality was slapping her with, that she had a family coming into formation but it was not her that was producing the unifying child. The period of distance and mournful pity ended when Iruka-sensei approached her amidst her third bottle of sake late one night and her late teacher provided her with the blunt truth that she unknowingly needed to hear. *"That baby may not be yours biologically, but it sure as hell is yours in every other manner! Don't let your bitter pettiness destroy one of the best things you'll ever experience Asuka!"* She returned to their home the next morning, slightly hung over and freshly showered, courtesy of her ever loving sensei, and was met with a worried Temari and stressed Shikamaru. The discussion they had was a tough one and in the end, it left the three of them raw with emotion and loss and hope for the future, for the child growing strong within Temari's womb.

Asuka had been the first to hold Shikadai the hot September day he was born, to Temari's firm and unrelenting insistence. He had been so small and fragile and she had been so afraid of hurting the newborn as she cradled him to her chest, marveling at his head of spiky brown hair and pudgy cheeks. She would adamantly say that she completely fell in love with him the moment he opened his eyes, revealing orbs of emerald green, just like Temari's and gods Asuka swore that day that she would do anything to keep their little boy safe. Their lives truly felt complete with the addition of little Shikadai, the three of them marveling and enjoying every moment they had with their son. Asuka took on the role of being a mother with every ounce of her body and was adamant in spending all her free time with the ever growing Shikadai. On missions she carried a photo of the four of them within her flak jacket and an emerald deer was added to her plethora of necklace charms, allowing her to always have him, Temari, and Shikamaru with her at all times.

Eight years later and they were just as happy, much to Asuka's utter relief. She had seen her sister Tatsu amidst the ruin of her own marriage to her husband Tonraq and how it truly ate at the typically stoic woman's resolve like a fast acting poison. Sure, as with every marriage, they had their bumps but much to her thanks to the gods and the Lady Spirit, the three of them were able to overcome them in time. At the age of twenty seven, Asuka could proudly say that she happy and was leading a successful life, having been married to the loves of her life for nearly ten years now, had an ever thriving career as a medical nin and kunoichi, and had been blessed with a child that she loved with all her heart. All she could ever want, Asuka had.

"Nari! Mommy says it's time to go!"

Turning her attention away from the necklace hanging around her neck, Asuka called back with a smile, "I will be there in a minute!"

Asuka gave a quick peruse over her person, taking in her usual mission attire with cautious eyes.

Mentally checking off everything, the young mother subconsciously took notice of Gaea who happened to be resting on the bed merely a few feet away, "You better hurry kit, you know that wife of yours is not one to be patient when it comes to being on time."

A chuckle escaped the Aikawa as she wrapped her hitai-ate around her forehead, "You act as if I do not already know this, old friend. I would be an idiot if I did."

"I am simply making sure you know to hurry up, that is all," Gaea retorted, sitting primly on the edge with a look of recollection present within her features. "It would be most unfortunate if we began our mission with you already possessing an injury."

Kajirumaru barked in agreeance from his place at Asuka's side, the ninja dog's tail wagging weakly against the hardwood floor.

"We both know that no injury would deter Naruto from assigning us this mission, that much is obvious," Asuka sighed as she turned to look at the shadow fox with a bitterness on her tongue.

She had only been home for three weeks and was already undertaking another, much to her and her family's chagrin. Luckily enough, she had been able to spend copious amounts of time with Shikadai and her spouses, along with other family members and friends. Yet, even with that being said, Asuka could not help but be irritated that Naruto had given her a mission so soon after one that had taken her away from Konoha for two weeks. Shikamaru had stated amidst the afterglow on the evening of her return that she was the only one qualified and skilled enough to take on this mission of wide scale reconnaissance over a group of rogue ninja. He was swiftly silenced by their wife's lips soon after. When it came down to it, Asuka had been assigned a mission by the hokage and she was obligated to do it, even if it meant leaving her family behind so soon after returning.

Asuka quietly shuffled over to the bed with Kajirumaru on her heels and reached out to the shadow fox, allowing her close companion to climb onto her usual spot between her shoulders, nestled beside the Aikawa's neck, "Come, I have promises to keep."

With Gaea and Kajirumaru in tow, Asuka made her way into the hallway and called out as she traveled down the staircase, "Is my favorite child ready for me to escort him to the Academy?"

"I'm ready nari."

The sound of small feet puttering against wood floors filled the air as Shikadai came lazily waltzing into view, the eight year old wearing an indifferent look on his face.

Asuka laughed as she took in his lazy person, hands coming to rest on her hips with playful fondness, "Ever like your father you are, my little shadow fawn. Are you sure you have everything you need for the day?"

Shikadai groaned, tucking his hands into his pockets, "Yes, nari."

"Did I hear that the lady of hour is finally done getting ready?"

"I only took so long because of your beauty routine Mr. Nara," the Aikawa gave her approaching husband a withering glare.

Shikamaru, secretly, was very dedicated to maintaining his trim but lackadaisical appearance and spent a fair amount of his mornings and evenings moisturizing his face, styling his hair, and keeping up the goatee that all Nara male clan heads seemed to possess. Though neither she nor Temari would openly admit it, the goatee was a turn on for them, seeing as how it only served to accentuate their husband's already distinct and handsome features.

The Nara clan head stilled at the mention of his lengthy self care practices, knowing he had been caught, and just as he moved to retort, Temari appeared from the down the first floor hallway, "Our wife is right Shikamaru, the amount of time you spend on your image is astounding. Now get your shoes on, we're already running behind and all of us have places to be!"

Her attention came to fall on an uninterested Shikadai's face, features stern as she held out a wrapped bento box to their son, "And you, this is the last time I'm saving you from going hungry at school! I take time out of my day to prepare food for you, and I'll be damned if it goes to waste because of your lazy forgetfulness! I already have to deal with your father, I don't need another person to chase after!"

Shikadai let out a nervous gulp, holding his lunch tightly to his chest, "It won't happen again mom, I promise!"

"I'll hold you to that," Temari huffed, hands moving to rest on her hips. "Let's go before you're late for school and your nari and father for work."

Knowing better than to argue with the fiery blonde, the three of them were quick in slipping on their sandals and following Temari out the door, Kajirumaru trotting contently beside them as the family made their way out of the Nara compound and onto the busy village streets. As they traveled towards the Academy, Asuka was happy to take in the sights of the thriving village they presided in, having done well since the end of the fourth war. Lady Tsunade, Kakashi-sensei, and Naruto had created a time of peace for not only Konoha but for all the elemental lands with the assistance of the Tsuchikage, Raikage, Mizukage, and Asuka's brother in law, Gaara the Kazekage. Sure, there had been bumps here and there, but they had coped well enough and were doing well for themselves. Asuka had split her time between working at the Aikawa clan clinic and going on missions due to the peaceful conditions, her duties as Guardian being placed on the backburner until needed. After a good ten minute walk, they finally reached the Academy, with children of varying ages running around and chattering amongst themselves with the occasional parent or teacher milling about.

"Shikadai! Over here!"

A blur of yellow, black, and pink came racing towards the Nara family, young Boruto Uzumaki bounding over with a toothless grin. Naruto and Hinata's son was nearly an exact replica of his father, the only difference being the amount of whisker marks on Boruto's cheeks, the eight year old only possessing two instead of the hokage's three. Their sons had been raised together as cousins if not siblings, seeing as how Asuka was extremely close to the Uzumaki couple and so was Shikamaru. Asuka proudly had been named the godmother of Boruto's six year old sister, Himawari, and the Aikawa took her role quite seriously, just as her own godmother had.

Boruto looked at the three adults with a toothy grin, calling out cheerfully, "Morning Aunt Temari, Uncle Shikamaru, Aunt Asuka!"

Temari gazed at the young boy with a playful smirk, crossing her arms over her chest, "Good morning, Boruto. I see you're ready for the day, perhaps you could share some of your energy with Shikadai here."

Shikadai let out a frustrated moan, looking to the Suna native with embarrassment, "Mom!"

Shikamaru chuckled, ruffling their son's neatly kempt hair, "Relax kid, she's just messing with you."

"Who says I was joking around," Temari argued, eyes gleaming with warning. "He could benefit from having just a little bit of an initiative, that's all I'm saying."

Asuka was quick to step before her partners could go at it, setting her attention on Boruto, "Are you excited for today's lesson, Boruto? I heard through the grapevine that your class will be covering genjutsu techniques!"

The blonde boy groaned with disappointment, kicking a nearby rock a few feet away, "You know I suck at genjutsu, Aunt Asuka! It's really hard!"

"I know, but it's an important style of fighting to have in your arsenal, little one," Asuka fondly reminded him, ruffling his messy locks. "Promise me you will keep an open mind during the lesson today, hmm?"

He let out a resentful sigh in response, "Fine."

She smiled, pecking the boy on the forehead, "Good! Now if you will excuse me, I must be on my way; Konohamaru and Mugino are most likely waiting for me at the entrance gates and I would hate to keep them waiting."

Her spouses gazed at her poorly hidden worry, Temari taking a firm hold of her hand with her own, "Promise me you won't take any unnecessary risks while you're gone."

"That is not how this works, spitfire," Asuka quietly replied, squeezing Temari's hand in earnest.

Shikamaru stepped forward, a stern look on his face, "Maybe not but you should still try to be cautious. We need you to come back in one piece."

The Aikawa let out a sigh, eyes taking in the worried and protective looks of her husband and wife, "I will do everything within my power to return safely, just as I always do. This I promise."

Rough lips pecked her cheek as Shikamaru leaned downwards, the Nara's lips grounding to Asuka as Temari's soft ones graced her temple, "You better."

With that said, Asuka looked to Shikadai and came to see their son gazing at her with anxious eyes, though one could see he was actively trying to hide it.

Holding her arms out, Asuka murmured fondly, "Come here little one."

He was quick to do what he was told, coming to tightly hug her waist as he smashed his face into her flak jacket, "I don't want you to go, nari."

She hummed in reply, rubbing his back with loving comfort, "I know my shadow fawn, but I have my duties as Guardian to serve the hokage and protect the Hidden Leaf Village. I will be home before you even realize I am gone."

Shikadai pulled away slightly, green eyes searching her swirling heterochromic ones with caution, "Promise?"

A fond smile was given to him in response, "Promise."

The two came to part only moments later, Asuka turning to leave as she placed a hand atop Kajirumaru's fluffy head, "It should only take us two weeks at best to complete the mission. Naruto informed me that I will be on leave upon our return to the village."

"You better be going on leave," the blonde kunoichi huffed. "The man's had you on mission after mission for months now!"

Asuka smiled, giving her family a reassuring look, "It will be worth it in the end and we all know this. Now be safe, I love you all!"

"Bye Aunt Asuka, bye Gaea, bye Kajirumaru," Boruto loudly called, waving his goodbyes.

With one last longing look to her family, Asuka was off with her partners in tow, racing towards the front gate with the mission in mind. Little did she know that that moment would be the last time she saw her partners and son for a long while.