Heat

Half the village turned out for the wedding. Since the bride seem to be a mysterious stranger, everyone was curious who had actually caught the Nara heir. And several gasped when during the ceremony the bride was addressed a Naru Namikaze, apparently a relative of the Fourth Hokage. The Nara Clan was well known all over the neighboring countries for their medicines and many were honored to be there to see the heir married. Tsunade had even announced a festival in the couples honor, she had told them privately it would be easier to let people celebrate a lot now, so they couldn't really complain later. "After all how can someone who danced at your wedding demand that it be undone." While not really ones to like a lot of undue attention both had to agree with the logic.

Naru had worn a kimono of Yoshino's that happen to have a golden sunset on it and many thought it a reference to the 'Yellow Flash'. Shika's own kimono was dark brown and his gold haori had a large embroidered deer for the Nara on the back. Few seem to notice when the actual family and several close friends left the celebrations to go to the Nara home.

Shikaku clinked his glass with a spoon to get the attention of their true family and friends, "A toast to my son's happiness, may he and his wife be always as happily accepted everyday as they are today." Many cheered and drank even though the toast wasn't the standard, who wouldn't want everyone to treat them as they'd been treated on their wedding day. Soon many Nara family members had headed home and only the friends Naru and Shikamaru had invited still remained, The Akamichi's, Chouji and his parents, Hinata, her fiance Kousen and Neji, Rock Lee, Ino, Sakura, Tenten, Kiba, and Shino, also most of the sensei, Kakashi, Gai, Kurenai with her infant son Asu, Shizune and Genma were there as well. Tsunade walked to the front of the room and after gaining everyone's attention she announced, "I know most of you don't feel you know the bride well and I wanted to talk to you Shikamaru's true friends. This must be kept secret until we have to make it publicly known, it is important to the village's peace, but I felt you all could help the couple. Shikamaru, Naru, please come forward." The two walked up hand in hand, then turned to face their friends, Shikamaru behind his wife put his arms around her knowing this would be difficult even here with their friends. "Naru is someone you all know really well, she just happens to be a little different right now." With a loud gasp Sakura shouted, "Naruto?," then everyone took a deeper look at the petite blond.

Sakura felt like she'd been sucker punched, "But why is this some sort of mission? Are we hiding you?" Tsunade held up her hand for silence, and the murmurs stopped. "Yes Naru is Naruto... but this isn't a mission, and before you ask, yes they're really married. Kyuubi turns Naruto into a female during her fertile cycle, she has every year since he was twelve. Naruto was succesful in hiding from men every time she went into heat all these years due to help from the Third and Jiraiya. But this year Naruto found himself alone, and worried some people wouldn't keep his secret." At this she pinned Sakura and Ino with a look which caused the two young women to blush. "She went to Kurenai instead, Kurenai didn't know how close Naruto was to her change and asked Shikamaru to guide him to Asuma's lodge so he could be alone. But thanks to a storm, the two were still there together when Naruto changed. Let's just say Naru is very persuasive when she's in heat." Several of the men chuckled nervously as they pictured persuasive women. "So she is now pregnant with the Nara heir. We need you all to help them, Naruto will change back when the baby is weaned and this village will have to accept them together, Kyuubi has also made Naruto very monogamous, she or he no matter what form he is in will only be able to stay with his mate. Shikamaru is the father of her child, so therefore her mate." All hell broke loose on that statement, many trying to ask questions at the same time.

Naruto was close to tears, she felt strange and tired suddenly the room grew dark and then Shikamaru caught her as she sank to the floor. Gathering his bride in his arms Shikamaru turned to the now silent group. "She's been through enough! You may be hearing this but she's living it. I love Naruto no matter what sex he is. If you're truly our friends then please be there for him, if you aren't... then go to hell. Excuse us I need to take care of my wife." And with that he walked toward the wing their room was in carrying the unconscious Naruto in his arms with Yoshino following closely. Shikaku stepped forward, "I agree with my son, Naruto has been through enough, she is pregnant and needs peace. If you can't be there to support her don't come back here again." Then he too went to check on his daughter-in-law.

Tsunade looked out at the crowd and simply added, "You all need to think about this, because Naruto needs his friends now more than ever."

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AN: Okay, sorry, I know another short chapter but it was slightly difficult to separate chapters as the story developed, so I had to make some difficult decisions as to chapter separation. Anyway hope you're enjoying it so far, next chapter will have much more of Yoshino and Shikaku's involvement. Please review.