Authors notes: Shika is one of my FAVE characters. Just so u know...i got the begginning and ending in my head...just working on the middle at the moment!

Chapter 1 – The Decision

I stared at the man, not believing his solemn words. My mouth is dry, and I can feel the others glaring at my back.

Stepping forward, I dumbly say, "I…pass…?" This cannot be true. If it is, that means I'm the only one! "W-wow," I stutter. I never meant for this to happen.

Izuma, the judge of the Chuunin Exam, pulls me forward. "Good job! You, out of all nine rookies, were the only one to pass!" He looks at me with admiration.

I stare at the floor. He's only making things worse. "So…I'm…a chuunin?" My tongue betrays me. Now I'm making this worse.

Chouji walks up to me. Placing a hand on my shoulder, he smiles. There is no joy in his smile, though. "Good job, Shikamaru!" His voice is stiff. He's forcing this…obviously.

Kiba, also, forces a grin on his face. "Shika! You beat Sasuke!" I knew what he was thinking, though. 'You beat all of us…'

I talked to the Hokage quietly. After, I took my leave of the exam.

As soon as I made it to my house, I placed a shaky hand on the doorknob. Quickly, I decided to remove it. I don't think I'm ready to meet my parents' pride. I turn and walk to a grassy hill. It just happens to be the very same hill that I lie on while I think.

I heard someone walk up behind me. I turn, only to be staring straight into Ino's pure blue eyes. "I-Ino?" I question lightly.

She glared coldly at me. "How!" She seethed, anger dripping off her words. "How is it that you passed! Even Sasuke, the best of us genin didn't! HOW IS IT THAT YOU DID!"

I looked away from her, dropping my gaze to the grass-covered ground. "I don't know…" I murmured softly. "I have no idea!" I scream at her.

She moved back a bit, clearly shocked at my outburst. I was, after all, the calmest person in the Academy that actually spoke often. "Nara! How dare you yell at me?" She cried, raising her voice to unnatural loudness. "This is all your fault!" She turned, ready to storm away.

"Ino!" I cry out to her. "How is this my fault! All I did was pass the test!" I glared at her turned back.

"Leave me alone, Nara," she said coldly, before storming off.

I stared at her retreating form. Was this really my fault? Was she right? I don't know…

I ended up deciding to lie down on the soft, pure green grass of my hill.

It's been like that for a few months now. My friends hate me, while the adults love me. Simple as that. What I really hate is how they are forcing me to do a ton of work. That, and the fact that my 'best friend' dislikes me. I keep telling everyone to just treat me like how I used to be!

I walk up to Chouji. "Hey," I mutter.

Chouji turns and fakes a smile. "Hey, Shika!" His fake grin was still present on his chubby face.

I sigh, before looking at him sadly. "Why? Why are you being so fake with me?" He looks at me, mock-surprised. "Don't pull that, Chouji! You know what I mean! I'm sick of this!" I kick at the dirt-covered ground.

Chouji replies slowly, truthfully. "I guess I'm a bit…well…jealous. I mean, you were made a chuunin." He stared straight at the green chuunin vest I wore.

I knew he would say that. I took the vest off and dropped it heavily on the ground. Carefully, I took off my Hidden Leaf Village headband off my arm, before dropping it on top of the vest.

"Goodbye, Chouji," I mumbled. "Next time we meet…you'll be coming to kill me."

I turned to walk away, stopping only to wait for his answer. And just like I thought, there wasn't a sound coming from him. He stared at me in shock.

"Goodbye…" My voice cut. I quietly, discreetly faded into the trees. 'Till we meet in battle…Chouji…'

Authors notes: Chappy 1 up! PLEASE REVIEW!