Author's note:

Hey all,

sorry I've been rather passive with my writing these days, but I just finished university so had a lot of graduation and applying to subsequent studies stuff on my hands. But now I have 2 months vacation, so I'm hoping to become a little more productive!

This is my new story, which will be rather short, but still contain 12 chapters. I tried to create a mood for each chapter with the means of the songs from my prefered music, but it's up to you if you want to listen to it or not.

Hope you enjoy, and please review :)

Love,

-CdF.

Chapter I

[Trust – Capitol]

I swung the door open and stepped outside from the Hokage's office. Suddenly I felt someone's limb bump into my chest so I took a quick step back.

"Hey watch it, you assh…", I paused in the middle of the word upon seeing who that was, "…hi."

A pair of familiar eyes that looked confused and a little apologetic right now met my stare. Shikamaru smiled sheepishly, brushing the back of his head with his free hand; the other one, which was pressed against my chest a moment ago, was holding a huge pack of papers.

"Sorry. You stepped out so quickly I had no time to back away."

Eyeing him with a curious look, the corner of my lips curved up.

"You became a paper boy."

He rolled his eyes, but did not lose his cool.

"Just like you, Ms. Messenger."

"At least I don't have to sit in an office all day."

"At least I don't have to walk back and forth between villages."

Familiar smirks were exchanged as he finally slipped into Hokage's office and came back to the corridor and towards the doors on the right.

His office was spacious and the windows facing west allowed the warmth of setting sun to fill the place. His desk was laden with documents and he grabbed a pile, rearranging, while I walked over the glass, admiring the view. I love Konoha in spring.

"So how is it?"

"How is what?"

"You know what."

He stayed silent for a moment and I did not need to look back to feel him cross his hands over his chest, leaning back in his chair. Defensive?

"It's good."

I turned my face and gave him a look, to which he rolled his eyes again. I miss annoying him.

"It's unbelievably troublesome alright!" I could hear a tone of amusement in his voice. "I hate all this paperwork and that is all I do since I was appointed as Hokage's advisor. Well at least I don't have to be here early... And being a head of Nara clan is not an easy task too. It's… if I'd have a stronger word than troublesome, I'd use it." He scoffed at his own monologue of complaints and smiled. "It feels I had to grow up way too fast for my liking and now everyone expects me to be responsible and do everything perfectly." He finished with a sigh.

I couldn't hold back a smile, it curled my lips.

"Don't be so hard on yourself. That's my job."