Disclaimer: Please note that I love all of the characters involved in this series, and do not wish ill will towards any of them. However, if you find yourself in similar situations as these characters please seek help. Also, this is a mature story for mature audiences only. Thank you.

Note: There is no one main character and not all characters are introduced in this chapter. Also, When I change character I am going to end the chapter and create a new chapter to create less confusion, as a result chapter 1-7 will be an arch titled "Party".

Chapter 1:

Ding, Ding, Ding! Shikamaru finishes pulling up his pants when his alarm clock goes off and turns off his clock. 'I hate noise in the morning,' he thought as he pulled open the door of his room and trudged into the kitchen, still stretching his pale arms.

"Happy Birthday fifteenth Shikamaru!" His mother yelled as he walked in and groaned,'I forgot, it's my birthday, what a drag!'

"Yeah, thanks Mom," he said barely seeing a lopsided tattered cake on a plate before his mother stepped between them, though her body isn't wide enough to hide the icing painting the counter and her shirt. She raises her arms and rapidly steps towards him and he backs away, "Eh, no that's okay mom, save the celebrating for tonight okay?"

"Oh come on just one hug Poopie, please?" She says as Shikamaru lifts his hands to fend her off.

"No I'm okay, thanks though," he blurts out and sprints for the door opening it, "Oh is dad—"

"Not yet, but hopefully he'll be home from his mission in time."

"Okay," and then Shikamaru smiled for his mom, "Happy sweet fifteen to me!" he yells as he closes the door, hearing his mother laugh before it closes.

He lets out a sigh as he starts his walk down the street heading for his first period, Ninja Tools with Asuma, 'Why's my birthday have to be on a Thursday… maybe I could stop by each class and pick up my assignments and then ditch for the rest of the day… but then what would I do. Ugh! What a drag!'

When it comes to being a ninja there are ten essential categories: Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, Genjutsu, Medical Ninjutsu, Chakra Control, Summoning, Ninja Tools, Gathering Knowledge/Intel, Curses/Forbidden Jutsu, and Battle Tactics/ World History. You have five hour long classes a day and then the other five the next day followed by a break. The classes are only held twice a month so you still go on missions but the classes are there to help improve your skill and understanding.

Shikamaru opened the door to the classroom, "But I thought her birthday wasn't until tomorrow," Neji said.

"Yeah I know that's what I thought, but it looks like she has to be careful because of her party last year, I mean it was awesome but she's like literally under surveillance now," Tenten said as she pinched one of his sesame dumplings with her cute chopsticks and popped it in her mouth. Neji hid a blush.

"What are you talking about?" Shikamaru inquired and approached them.

"Oh you don't know?" Tenten said after swallowing the dumpling, "Ino is having her party tonight!"

"What? Why?"

"Her parents are still pissed about last year so she's having the party tonight while they're out on a mission," Tenten concluded and popped another dumpling in her mouth.

"Regardless, happy birthday Shikamaru," Neji said as he pulled out a present and handed it to him.

As he reached his hand out Tenten choked down her dumpling, "Oh yeah, happy birthday Shikamaru!" she squealed as she stood up and gave him a hug which Shikamaru didn't return.

"Thanks Neji, and it's not big deal about the party, not like I had anything planned," he said as he grabbed the small package.

"Oh you should come to the party!" Tenten said.

"I don't know, I might," he shrugged.

"Settle down, lets take roll." Asuma Sensei yelled over the class who quickly sat down. He marked on a roster checks and exes as he called names, "Kankuro, Neji, Sai, Sakura, Shikamaru, Shino, Tenten," all of which returned his call.

"Sasuke absent again huh?" He said with a soft sigh, "Check on him today, okay, Sakura."

"O-Okay!" She said shocked.

Asuma sensei then lead them to the forty-forth training ground and taught them new throwing techniques for multiple weapons and had them practice.