Chapter one: Meeting with Naruto
Tsunade-sama could be a real pain. First she forced me to become a proctor for the upcoming Chûnin exams, but now, making me escort Temari around Konoha. This is such a pain. I don't know why, but ever since the time she saved me in the whole Sasuke ordeal I've found it hard to breath and my heart….it's pounding a bit too fast. At least there is SOME space between us. Shikamaru nervously looked over at Temari. Man, she's so pretty….Dad was right, girls are troublesome. Temari swung her head over as she caught the glimpse in his eye. Shikamaru slyly looked off at a slight angle, so she wouldn't know he was watching her. As Temari looked back, she saw a petit pinkette in the crowd.
"Shikamaru! Temari! Hey!" yelled the bright eyed girl from across the street, "look who's back!" Shikamaru and Temari nearly jumped at being yelled at.
Shikamaru brightened up immediately "Hey! Naruto!"
The booming blonde spun around and called back "Shikamaru!"
"Did you just get back?" Shikamaru asked
"Nah," Naruto put his hands behind his head, "yesterday".
"Something's different about you," Shikamaru remarked, "you seem smarter….more serious."
"ERNT!" Sakura scoffed, "wrong answer! Please try again!"
"Oh…..really?" Shikamaru wasn't surprised.
"SAKURA!" Naruto deflated, but was quick to recover, "so…you two are on a date too?"
"Not. Even. Close," Shikamaru drearily replied.
"Oh please, like I would ever….?" Temari spoke as if it weren't possible, "It's almost Chûnin selection time again. And while I've been acting as liaison between the Sand and Konoha…."
Shikamaru picked up where she had left off, "…..and I'm being forced to act as exam proctor, so… I was ordered to escort the Sand ambassador, that's all."
Naruto began reminiscing, "The Chûnin selection exam, huh… brings back memories…"
Shikamaru suddenly remembered something, "OH! …so what are you going to do, Naruto?"
"Eh?"
"About the Chûnin exam…of course. You're the only one in our year…who ISN'T a Chûnin."
"WHAT? You mean…YOU'RE a Chûnin too, Sakura?"
"Yup," she said proudly.
"…and," Shikamaru interrupted, "Just so you know…Neji, Kankuro, and this Lady here are already Jônin."
"NO WAY! OH! Gaara! What about Gaara?"