The sun shone brightly over the vibrant village of Konohagakure as the prestigious annual Kage Summit was underway. Amidst the grandeur and political discussions, Temari found solace in exploring the local market with her husband, Shikamaru, brothers, and their young son, Shikadai. The village was was decorated with banners and flags, adding to the festive ambiance. Children’s laughter echoed through the streets as they eagerly participated in various games from ringtoss challenges to shuriken throwing contests. And best of all, the bustling market was filled with colorful stalls and the delightful aroma of freshly cooked food, enticing villagers and visitors alike.
Temari and 5-year-old, Shikadai strolled a few vendors down from where Gaara, Kankuro and Shikamaru were engrossed in conversation. The aroma of roasted chestnuts wafted through the air catching the attention of Shikadai’s hunger senses. His stomach rumbled, his mouth watering in anticipation. He tugged on his mother’s sleeve.
“Okā-chan! Can we get some roasted chestnuts, please?” he asked softly, his voiced filled with hope.
Temari smiled down at her son, seeing excitement in his eyes. “Sure, they sound like a perfect treat. We did eat an early breakfast to meet your uncles.” The pair approached the stall, Shikadai barely able to maintain his excitement.
The merchant was an older gentlemen in his fifties perhaps, with a weathered appearance, a testament to a life of hard work. His salt-and-pepper hair was neatly combed back and his clothes were neat except for the apron he wore. The man was happily serving customers and finishing up an order, when his gaze fell upon Temari. His previous pleasant expression twisted into a scowl, his eyes narrowing.
"I have nothing for you," he spat. "We don't serve you Sand Scum here."
Temari was taken by the sudden discrimination. For years now, Konoha had good relations with Suna, people like this were nearly unheard of in the village. Shikadai clung tightly to his mother's hand, his innocent eyes filling with confusion and sadness. The surrounding crowd began to murmur, witnessing the shocking display of prejudice.
“How dare you” Temari seethed, “I may be from Suna, but I would risk my life for the Konoha and it’s people. Your ignorance is disgraceful.” The merchant sneered, refusing to back down.
"Ha! Don't make me laugh" he began, "you village is nothing but trouble, they're responsible for the deaths of innocent people, including my brother. I won't forget or forgive. You will never be a part of this village."
“You know nothing about me or the sacrifices I’ve made for my village and for peace. Your prejudice blinds you and it is your loss to carry such hate.” The exchange of heated words brought the attention of nearby customers, including Shikamaru, Gaara, and Kankuro, who began to hear argument over the chatter of the village. They quickly made their way towards the scene.
“Hey, what’s going on here?” Shikamaru asked after hearing the comments of anger from the merchant. His usually laid-back demeanor was replaced by a flicker of anger, especially knowing that Shikadai had witnessed such an interaction. The arrival of the three, sent whispers among the bystanders. The recognized the Sand Siblings and the position Shikamaru held, which added weight to the gravity of the situation.
“I’m not serving the likes of you people” he spat.
“You better take that back, old man. We are the representatives of Suna, allies of Konoha. Show some respect!”
As the exchanged unfolded, young Shikadai stood by his mother’s side, his eyes taking in the scene with a mix of confusion and concern. At just five years old, he struggled to comprehend the depth of the situation unfolding before him. He clung tightly to his mother’s hand, seeking comfort. The words being thrown back and forth felt heavy and sharp.
Gaara, a master of diplomacy, approached with a calmness.
“Enough. The confrontation ends here” he declared. His voice was firm, and carried a sense of authority.
Kankuro gritted his teeth. “Gaara, he insulted our family. He needs to apologize” he added with a hint of restrained anger. The merchant, however, remained stubborn and unapologetic.
"We don't need an apology from someone who is blind to their own prejudice” Gaara added. The Kazekage placed a reassuring hand on Shikamaru’s shoulder "Shikamaru, let's not give this merchant any more of our time and energy. You too Kankuro.” Shikamaru, ever the strategist, realized the futility of resorting to violence in front of his young son.
With great restraint, Kankuro stepped back as well, his frustration simmering beneath the surface. “The Hokage will hear about this” he snapped, his words hanging in the air, a reminder that the merchant’s actions would not go unnoticed.
As the group left the market, heading for the Nara Compound, the weight of the encounter weighed heavily on the young boy's shoulders. Tears welled up in his eyes, and his small frame trembled with a mix of anger, confusion, and sadness.
“Okā-chan” he choked, "why was he so mean to you and to Uncle Gaara and Kankuro?" His voice quivered, full of frustration and confusion. Shikamaru and Temari exchanged a concerned glance, their hearts aching for their son. Gaara and Kankuro gave a slight nod, stepping away from the conversation to give the trio privacy.
Shikamaru's voice was gentle but firm as he spoke, trying to make sense of the situation for Shikadai. "Sometimes, people let their fear cloud their judgment," Shikamaru explained softly, his hand gently brushing away Shikadai's tears. "But it doesn't mean they're right or that we should let their words define us. Your mom and uncles are strong, brave, and deserving of respect."
Temari nodded, her voice tender. "You see, Shikadai, some people judge others based on their differences without taking the time to understand or appreciate them. It's important to remember that their words don't reflect who we truly are."
Shikadai sniffled, finding solace in his parents' comforting words. Both of them resting a hand upon his shoulder.
"I don't like it when people are mean," Shikadai said, his voice still shaky. "I want to be kind like you and protect the people I care about." Shikamaru and Temari smiled through their own mixed emotions, proud of their son's empathy and resilience. As Shikamaru and Temari comforted Shikadai, their embrace was interrupted by Gaara and Kankuro, who approached with open arms and warm smiles. They understood the weight of the situation and the impact it had on their young nephew. Shikadai happy accepted the hugs along with a hand ruffling his dark hair.
Gaara's soothing voice joined the conversation. "Shikadai, remember that our family carries a powerful heritage," he said, his words laced with a quiet strength. "We come from a village that has endured many hardships, and we've learned to rise above them. Our strength lies not only in our physical abilities but also in our resilience and unity with others.."
Kankuro’s voice also chimed in, his voice filled with a hint of mischief.
"And hey, Shikadai, let's not forget the amazing pranks we can pull together to teach people a lesson about kindness!" His remark elicited a giggle from Shikadai, lifting the weight of the recent encounter.
With his loved one’s combined words of wisdom, comfort, and a touch of lightheartedness, Shikadai was reminded that he was part of a family that would always have his back. In that moment, as laughter mixed with love and teasing, Shikadai found solace and a renewed sense of hope. Even in the face of adversity, their bond as a family would remain unbreakable.
A/N: Found this in my drafts, and wasn’t sure if I ever posted it, figured why not finish it :)