[AUTHOR'S POV]
Aiko was laying on her back in her crib in the living room. Her mother moved it there this morning .
Her eyes were closed, It seemed like she was asleep but in fact she was just meditating.
She was about to open her eyes when an unfamiliar chakra approached the house making her sit straight and open her eyes immediately, she could hear the footsteps getting closer and closer until someone stopped in front of her door.
A knock was heard, then Tomoko came out from the kitchen and opened the door with a big smile.
Aiko looked up, waiting to see the people who came hoping it's not who she thinks they are.
'please don't be who I think you are!'
"Come in; Shikaku,Yoshino. We have been expecting you" her mother said while stepping aside to let them enter the house.
They walked inside, Yoshino was holding a child in her arms.
'That's….Shikamaru..' Aiko thought.
Yoshino was wearing a white kimono that was designed with red flowers and patterns and on her feet were black Zori shoes.
Shikaku was wearing a simple greyish blue kimono, geta shoes and his hair was tied up into a spiky ponytail.
" Hello Yoshino, long time no see "Tomoko smiled at her friend and walked over to give Shikamaru a small and gentle pat on his back.
"Yo! Shikaku !" Ryohei greeted him, smiling widely.
Shikaku returned the greeting.
They chatted for a bit before Yoshino noticed Aiko who was in the crib.
"Awww! is this little Aiko? she is so cute,she got your eyes,Ryohei-san!" Yoshino said, suddenly handing shikamaru over to shikaku then she immediately headed toward the crib. Aiko's blue eyes meeting her brown ones , she lifted her from her crib and hugged her.
Shikaku sighed at his wife's antics but smiled nonetheless, little shikamaru in his arms.
After some time, the four friends decided to put the little children to play in the crib and sat down to catch up with each other, after all it has been a long time since they could reunite like this and not for a mission.
Shikamaru was sitting in the crib with a bright smile showing his gums, his cheeks filled with small chubby cheeks. He looked at Aiko with sparkling eyes.
Even though Aiko didn't want to get close to any of the main characters, baby Shikamaru looked so cute and he reminded her of her nephew.
She couldn't help but smile at him.
After waking up from her delusion, she sighed 'mentally I am in my thirties I can't believe I have to play with a baby. Well it's not like I hate this situation since I was the one who took care of my nephew when my aunt left him with us.
Even though Shikamaru is one of the main cast he is just a baby right now, so there is no need for me to avoid him for now. We won't be meeting each other a lot in the future since I won't graduate from the academy as a ninja.'
she shook away those thoughts as she turned her attention towards Shika again
she giggled 'Shikamaru was really energetic when he was young '
As she was lost in her thoughts again, she didn't notice little Shikamaru coming closer to her side of the crib until he held onto her shirt he grinned at her as he waved his arms around excitedly and giddily, she was taken aback by that but then recovered as she flashed him her own grin .
' He is the most adorable thing ever !!' she thought hugging him and nuzzling her nose against his.
He giggled loudly making everyone else look at them curiously which made Aiko embarrassed but she decided to ignore them and focus on little Shika.
"awe they're so cute together!" Tomoko clapped her hands together and sequelled excitedly, the others smiled and agreed with her.
Later that day the parents came to check on them only to find them asleep together and cuddling.
Tomoko went quickly to bring the camera to catch this precious moment leaving Yoshino who teasing Ryohei saying that she will make Aiko as her daughter in law but He was protesting saying he will never allow his precious Daughter to marry off to anyone _overprotective father_
Poor Shikaku was Sweat Dropping in the background.
After dining, the family of three left but not before Yoshino planned another play date for her son , as a step to succeed her goal into making Aiko her daughter in law Despite the fact that Ryohie was overprotective , Tomoko was totally on her side.
Little Aiko slept peacefully that night but little did she know that she got tangled with the fate of one of the main characters she wanted to avoid.