Chapter 1: Tired, Lazy, and Troublesome

A relaxed sigh escaped the 20 year-old shinobi's chest as he lay sprawled out on the side of the hill. Clad in the traditional Jounin vest and pants and wearing the ear rings that the late Asuma-sensei had given him, the ninja relaxed. Hands clasped behind his head, the dark haired young man happily gazed up at the clouds that drifted above him, clearly outlined against the sunny blue sky. Yet, even as he laid there, a shadow fell across his eyes. Pretending not to notice the blond kunoichi behind him, he prayed that she would leave him in peace. After a minute where she stubbornly waiting for his acknowledgement of her presence and he just as stubbornly refused to give it, another kunoichi with short, dark hair stepped out from behind the first and spoke.

"Shikamaru, I'm sorry about this. We know you've just come back from your previous mission, but all the other chuunin and jounin are out on their own missions right now and this is urgent. We really need you to do this one mission. Please?"

After about a minute of silence, a vein in the blonde's forehead was beginning to pulse, but before she could fly out in rage at the lazy jounin, he began to struggle to his feet. "What's the mission?"

"Thank you Shikamaru-" sobbed the relieved Shizune, but was cut short.

"I never said I would take it." The scowling male hastily interrupted.

"Shikamaru," Tsunade finally spoke. "You are going to bring the negotiations of peace between Konohagakure and Sunagakure to the usual information exchange point. This is an B ranked mission, and you will do it."

"But-"

"That's an order."

Silence… Damn you troublesome women. He thought. I should say no- But then his train of thought was cut off by another idea. Sunagakure? Isn't that where SHE lives? Maybe she'll be the one whom I meet. Wait- Why am I thinking that! No- no, I'm just tired. I don't like her: she's too troublesome.

It didn't matter though, he had received a direct order from the Hokage herself; as such, the issue was not up for questioning. "Tch," Troublesome… "just give me the scroll."

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The air whizzed by noisily as he shot from tree to tree. After half a day of traveling through the forest, he was almost to the meeting spot. Bored, tired, and somewhat angry at being assigned this mission, Shikamaru's mind was unusually blank. He had not slept for 48 hours now, and the harsh treatment that his body was having to endure was taking it's toll physically and mentally as well. The harsh shrieks and squalls of a startled crow diving away from the tree he had just landed on pulled him out of his trance. He stopped on the branch and shook his head as if to clear his head of whatever was fogging his brain. Looking around he realized how dark it was becoming. Tch… Not good, I was supposed to be there already. Luckily, he was not far away. I hope whoever Suna's courier won't be mad. He thought forebodingly of an enraged Gaara attacking him, but then chuckled and smirked. That was stupid, Gaara was their Kazekage: there was no way he would be the courier.

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From the bushes, somebody watched as the tall Konoha Jounin jumped lightly down onto the giant rock in the middle of the clearing. After looking around cautiously, he dropped to the grass and stood there, scowling, presumably, but there was no way to tell in the darkness. So this is Shikamaru? He's probably annoyed that the Suna ninja isn't here yet! The hidden ninja smirked gleefully.

Indeed, Shikamaru was wondering as to why he was alone- he was late. Is the other ninja even later? He didn't notice the wraith-like figure slipping around behind him. He yawned, still tired.

The figure drew closer.

Shikamaru's eyelids drooped, unaware of the figure that was aggressively closing the distance between the two.