This fanfic will have multiple chapters and even though i've created my own OC for it I DO NOT OWN NARUTO in any way shape or form.

PLEASE REVIEW AND ENJOY IT!


Chap 1: What a Drag

"Ughh. Great. What's the point in setting the alarm if I'm going to wake up before it goes off? What a total waste. Now I've gotta shut it off but I don't feel like moving. But if I don't shut it off it will just keep ringing and ringing. It makes me tired just thinking about the whole thing. Some mornings are such a drag…" -Shikamaru Nara

""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""'''''"

Shikamaru let his eyes wonder around Hokage Tsunade's office in sheer boredom. Sometimes being the genius wasn't all it was cracked up to be. It meant proctoring chunin exams, going through endlessly boring paperwork, sitting in meetings that always dragged and…

…and escorting very important guests.

He'd been cloud watching in his favorite spot when a couple of shinobi came and got him. Then he was brought to Lady Tsunade's office and told by the fiery Hokage herself that he was to be in charge of a very important guest soon.

Just like that. Uprooted from his comforting serenity and placed in a bothersome situation.

What a drag.

"Come in!" Lady Tsunade barked after two crisp knocks landed on her door. Shikamaru's wondering eyes landed on the maroon colored wood as he dutifully stood next to the Hokage's desk.

Well it was more like indolently stood.

"Entering Lady Midori Morimoto of the Village Hidden in the Grass!" rang a voice too proud for it's own good. Shikamaru audibly sighed and waited for a lady as old as, or maybe even older than, Tsunade to appear. He could already picture a miserable day with an old hag who's do nothing but complain about the heat.

Imagine the slight surprise on his face when Lady Midori finally entered.

She was young, this Midori Morimoto, with two Shinobi leading her and two Shinobi guarding her from behind. She seemed to be only a year or two younger than Shikamaru, with dark brown hair that hit her waist and the greenest eyes the lazy ninja had ever seen. She wore short tights underneath a long green flap that exposed the sides of her legs and a loose green half shirt. Half of her long hair was tied up and her wrists and ankles were adorned with beads.

The first thing that came to his mind was how could such a young girl, who barely embodied the title of 'Lady', be such an important guest?

"It's a pleasure for Konoha to have you Lady Midori," Tsunade greeted, standing from her desk and bowing in respect. Midori reluctantly did likewise and Shikamaru couldn't help watching it all in confusion.

Was this girl really that important?

"The quiet one here is Shikamaru Nara." Shikamaru straightened slightly at the mention of his name. Did Lady Tsunade really have to mention him like that. "He will be your escort through the village and oversee your stay here."

Midori nodded and looked to Shikamaru with a cool expression. Her silence and rebellious eyes slightly unnerved him. "What's her condition?" Shikamaru finally spoke up, causing Midori's guards to shift nervously. "Why is she here?"

Lady Tsunade lowered herself back into her chair and sighed. "We all know war is eminent. Everyone is making the necessary preparations and…" she glanced briefly at Midori, "…sacrifices in order to be ready for it. Lady Midori here is part of an agreement between the Hidden Grass and Hidden Rock village. In two weeks or less a Shinobi from the Hidden Rock is to come retrieve her from "neutral ground", which is us, and in return the Hidden Grass will receive future protection even after the war."

Shikamaru snorted, gaining a glare from the previously expressionless Midori. "A girl in exchange for future protection? Seems like the Hidden Rock are being cheated to me."

Tsunade gave Shikamaru 'the look' and he sighed. "Not only will the Hidden Rock and Hidden Grass benefit from this. The Allied Shinobi Forces will receive the Hidden Grasses medical herbs and the Hidden Rocks participation without conflict," the Hokage explained as vaguely as possible.

Shikamaru could tell something was being kept from him. He could see it in the shifty eyes of Lady Midori's guards, and the way her features looked tense. This assignment wasn't going to be easy.

"As you know, only two Shinobi from your village can stay," Tsunade explained, returning her attention to Midori. "The village will be curious enough to see someone new walking around and I don't want anyone getting too nosy. Shikamaru will look after you throughout the day and your two guards will see to your safety during the night."

Finally, Midori of the grass opened her mouth, "Thank you for your hospitality Hokage Tsunade." Shikamaru was surprised at the sound. Her voice was slightly deeper than he expected and her words held a sense of practiced primness that made her age jump a year.

"Please, just call me Lady Tsunade." The Hokage managed a tired smile. "And I promise, Shikamaru Nara is well trained and will keep you safe during your stay here."

""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

Shikamaru watched as Midori stiffly waved goodbye to the two guards that were leaving. She didn't seem to be concerned with their absence at all, but only waving out of politeness. He wondered if she always acted this fake.

"You two are dismissed as well," her cool voice spoke up, addressing her other guards. "I wont need you till tonight." The guards bowed and headed towards their quarters for some much needed rest. Watching over Lady Midori during their trip to Konoha meant many sleepless nights.

Visible relief was clear on Midori's face as the guards walked out of her sight, and her shoulders finally relaxed. Shikamaru wondered if the girl was ever given any alone time.

"So," he spoke up, stretching and placing his hands behind his head, "what do Ladies of the grass do on a day like this?"

He watched Midori out of the corner of his eye as she glared at him for the way he said 'Ladies'. "If I didn't know better, I'd say that sentence was laced with sarcasm Nara Shikamaru," she spat.

Shikamaru smirked and started walking without even waiting for her to catch up. He enjoyed the look of surprise on Midori's face as she quickened her feet to meet his strides. She obviously wasn't used to people not waiting on her. "Well since you have no ideas I guess we can head by the Yamanaka shop. Ino should be there around now and she'd be better at entertaining you than me," Shikamaru suggested.

Midori's bright green eyes darted around the unfamiliar village. "Ino? Is she your teammate or something?" Shikamaru couldn't help noticing how Midori's proper way of talking seemed to slowly disappear the longer her guards were away.

Shikamaru nodded. "Yeah and a real loud mouth too."

""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

"Oi! Shikamaru-kun!" Ino hollered as she spotted her teammate walking outside of her shop. Her bright blue eyes widened slightly at the sight of the girl next to him. Ino couldn't help giggling at the thought of Shikamaru finding himself a girlfriend, especially one so pretty, and motioned for them to come inside. "Who's the friend?"

Shikamaru was beginning to wonder if it was such a good idea to bring Midori here as he introduced her to Ino. He could see by the sly grin on Ino's face what she had in mind. As soon as Midori was out of ear shot he would convince Ino otherwise.

He really didn't need rumors at the moment.

"The Hidden Grass? Wow I don't think I've seen anyone from there since the chunin exams," Ino stated, her interest peeked.

Midori shrugged, looking a little more comfortable with all of the flowers surrounding her. "I don't blame you. Our Village doesn't reach out much."

Ino leaned in with interest. "Well you're here, so that counts, right? But… why, may I ask, are you here?"

Shikamaru spoke up before Midori could. "It's none of your business, Ino."

The young Yamanaka frowned. "Why do you have to be so cold Shikamaru?"

"Because," he sighed, "Lady Tsunade doesn't want news of Midori's visit all over the village, and you'd be just the person to blab about the details."

"Would not!" the fiery blond retorted. Shikamaru didn't stay long enough to indulge her.

"Come on, we're leaving." Midori rolled her eyes at his sudden decision to leave and waved goodbye to a frowning Ino.

"I'll find out sooner or later Shikamaru!" Ino called.

Shikamaru smirked. "No you wont!"


Thankyou for reading all of chapter 1! I know this first chap was a little boring but please review and tell me what you think!

A/N: Midori literally means 'green' or 'greenest green' and Morimoto means 'of the forest'.