Naruto slipped back to Skikamaru and Temari as they walked down the street. "So, are you two going out? Or what?"
"Not even close, idiot," Shikamaru denied with a raised brow.
"Huh, You've got to be joking. Like I would ever even," Temari scoffed and explained, "The Chunin exams are about to start. I've been busy running back and forth between your village and mine getting ready for them."
"Yeah, That's right and I'm her escort. It's a drag and don't ask how it happened," Shikamaru said in a dull manner with a sideways look at Temari, "but I've been put in charge of organizing the Chunin exams
Heh heh. It's funny Naruto. You always seem to be able to pick up on the slightest things. The only person who knows of our relationship is Lady Tsunade and she's said that she won't tell anyone without our consent or in an emergency situation that she deems the information necessary to be revealed. Of course It doesn't mean there are a few perks to running around between villages together. We certainly get chances to be alone.
Naruto got a dazed look on his face. "The Chunin exams huh? Man, that takes me back,"
He looked up at the clouds passing over head.
"Yeah, well, speaking of which. What are you going to do Naruto?" Shikamaru asked drawing the attention away from Temari and his relationship.
"About what? What do you mean?" Naruto asked dumbfounded.
Shikamaru chuckled, "What d'ya think? About the Chunin exams. You're the only one in our year who isn't a Chunin… Everyone is, but you."
Naruto felt like he was hit in the head with a frying pan as they stood there. "WHAT!"
"Sakura? You've been made a Chunin?" Naruto asked concerned.
Well done, Shika. Way to make him distracted with the Chunin exams. Now if we can just get away from these guys. Finish up your little distraction, so that we can have some time alone and in privacy. She gave a small proud smile as her secret boyfriend led the blonde ninja on about her brothers. When Naruto went on about Gaara she smiled wider in amazement at his determination to make it to where he had gone. Even if he is an idiot most of the time he's still got plenty of determination and all the right stuff to make it just as Gaara has. I think just about everyone in the village knows who the next Hokage will be. Granted that Lady Tsunade appoints him as her successor and the council doesn't object. Of course I have no doubt they will.
Naruto and Sakura left the two nin. Shikamaru and Temari gave each other victorious grins before they leaped up to the rooftops and moved out into the forest surrounding Konoha.
Author's Note: Just a cute short story. Please review and let me know what you think! It takes place in Naruto Shippuden episode 2. Please review!