Author's notes: As of March 12, 2004 – this story takes place during future parts of the manga that have not been aired as anime quite yet. It takes place around chapter 172, well after Naruto, Shikamaru, Sakura, and Pakkun bring Sasuke back from chasing the Sand Nin; it's more like right after Naruto and Jiraiya bring Tsunade back to Konoha. This story focuses more on Shikamaru and Ino, and is going to be told as a spin on the current story. Right now I only have up to manga chapter 207, so what happens in my story may not correspond to later chapters of the manga, but hey, it's a story, right? Pairings: ShikaIno, possibly others later… I'm not sure yet. Enjoy!
Italics = someone's thoughts
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Chapter 1: Shikamaru, you're the man!
"Shikamaru! Shikamaaaruuuu!" Shikamaru awoke to sound of his mother's voice calling him, "Shikamaru, it's time to get up! You're going to be late!"
Late? Late for what? He thought groggily to himself, "Ah! The Chuunin induction! I overslept!" He shouted out loud as he jumped out of bed and grabbed the nearest pair of pants. Shoving them on as quickly as possible, he hobbled toward the door, "I'm coming!"
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Shikamaru walked aimlessly through the center of town toward the Ninja Administration Center, his father in tow. Che… this is so troublesome. He thought as he glanced up at the sky, I was the only one who was promoted to a higher rank. What do they need a whole induction for?
"Say, Shikamaru?"
"Huh?" He turned his attention to his father.
"Have you told your teammates about your promotion?"
"No. Not yet."
"Don't you think they'd like to know?"
"I'll tell them… after I'm inducted. I knew that if I told them before hand they'd come to the administration center and cheer me on or something." He sighed in annoyance.
"How nice to have such a supportive team. It reminds me of the old days."
"Yeah, well… you can have them if you want."
"Oh Shikamaru, always the sarcastic one. You're just like your mother." Shikamaru raised an eyebrow at his father, "Uhhh… don't tell her I said that, okay?"
And have to bear the wrath that would ensue? Don't worry, I won't. Shikamaru knew better than to make his mother mad.
"Heeeey! Shikamaru!" Shikamaru knew that voice well… a slightly raspy sound that came out more high-pitched than other boys his age. And it was loud. Oh so loud… That voice could only belong to one person…
"Naruto. Hey." Came his cordial reply and a slight nod.
"Wha'cha doin' headin' up this way? Huh?" Naruto's mouth formed its usual wide, pleasant grin as he approached from the other side of the street.
"Just taking care of some business. Say," he motioned toward the others with Naruto, "who are those guys with you?"
"Oh, them? The big old guy is Ero-seni-err… Jiraiya… he's been helping me train."
"And the chick?"
"Oh her? That's Tsunade. And she's no chick. She may look young, but she's actually fifty!" Naruto whispered so that only Shikamaru could hear.
"What, no kidding? She must have a lot to hide under all that… uhh…" Shikamaru motioned toward Tsunade's frontal region, "well, you know."
"Haha. Yeah, I guess." Naruto blushed a little out of embarrassment at Shikamaru's innuendo.
"So, why is she here anyway? I've never seen her before."
"Yeah, she was away for a while. Jiraiya and I brought her back. She's supposed to be the new Hokage or something…" Naruto's voice trailed off.
Or something?! Shikamaru's faced showed shock at Naruto's choice of words. Becoming Hokage's a big deal. It deserves a little more than an "or something."
Shikamaru glanced at her again. A female Hokage? Great. Just what he needed, for Konoha to be completely run by women. How troublesome. But still… I wonder what's so special about her…?
"Ah! It's been nice seeing you again Tsunade-sama, Jiraiya-sama. But Shikamaru and I have to be going now." Shikato turned toward his son, "You ready?"
"Yeah, I guess. See you later Naruto."
"See ya." Naruto waved, "Oh, oh! Shikamaru! We have to get together later. I have to show you this new technique I learned from Jiraiya! It's sooo awesome!"
"Yeah, yeah sure." Shikamaru waved him off as he continued his walk toward the administration center.
"Well, Shikamaru. I've got some business to attend to. I trust you can handle everything by yourself?"
Shikamaru sighed and looked at his father, "Yeah, I guess so. Say, did you hear that the Tsunade-lady is going be the fifth Hokage?"
"Yes. They were telling me about that."
"Great. Just what I wanted, more women."
"What's your objection to girls anyway, Shikamaru?" Shikato said with a sly grin.
"It's not an objection, really. More like an annoyance. Girls are so bossy and selfish. I just wish they could leave me alone sometimes."
Shikato laughed inwardly. There will come a time when you'll think differently than that, my boy. "You know, even the harshest women love their husbands tenderly."
Ha! Like you're one to talk. Mom bosses you around constantly. You're completely whipped. Shikamaru rolled his eyes, "Uh huh."
"Well, like I said, I've got to get going. I'll see you back at home later."
"Yeah, sure."
"Oh, and don't be late for dinner. You know how your mother gets."
Yeah… I know. "I'll be there." And with that, Shikato turned the corner and was out of sight. I really hope no one told Ino and Chouji about my induction yet. I would hate to be humiliated during a time like this.
Shikamaru walked up the steps to the administration center, where he saw Asuma awaiting his arrival. Shikamaru sighed and shoved his hands in his pockets. How troublesome.
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"Do I have to wear this thing now, Asuma?" Shikamaru groaned as he looked at his new Chuunin vest.
"Yes. You're a Chuunin now, and that's what Chuunin wear as a mark of their character. Now put it on." Asuma blew a puff of smoke into Shikamaru's face, which he fanned away, "I told Ino and Chouji to meet us at the barbeque. You're going to surprise them."
"Oh great. Just what I wanted after sitting in a stifling hot room for three hours; to hear Ino shrieking madly over some nonsense like this. I'm just a Chuunin. It's no big deal. I'd rather play you in Shougi if you want to celebrate."
"No Shougi today. Besides, you beat me every time." Asuma chewed on the end of his cigarette. And, I don't feel like losing to you again right now. "Besides, your team has a reason to celebrate. They're proud of you, Shikamaru."
"Yeah, yeah… let's just get on with it." Shikamaru slipped the vest on over top of his existing one. Not that it mattered much, but it felt strange to have his shirt mostly concealed now.
As they approached the barbeque, Shikamaru could make out the loud voices of his teammates. Ino was arguing with Chouji over what she thought the surprise would be.
"No! It's definitely something for me, Chouji! How could it not be?" Shikamaru could see the back of Ino's head as they approached the table; she was standing, fists on the table, "I am the leader, after all."
"Not for long." Chouji pointed to the approaching Asuma and Shikamaru.
"Asuma-sensei!" Ino turned around to face them with a bright smile. She always did that when she wanted her way. Shikamaru thought it was both annoying and endearing.
"Sorry, Ino." Asuma started, "I don't have anything for you specifically." Ino pouted, "Today is Shikamaru's day." Shoving Shikamaru into full view of his teammates, Asuma pointed to the vest, "Shikamaru's been promoted to Chuunin!"
"What?!" Both Ino and Chouji shouted in unison.
"How can that be? He lost his match, right?" Ino exclaimed, plopping down onto the seat.
Asuma sat next to her, "Well, there was more to the exam than winning or losing the fight, Ino."
"Congrats, Shikamaru!" Chouji smiled brightly.
"Yeah, thanks." Shikamaru slumped into the seat next to him, "This just means more work for me."
Ino faltered. Can't he be happy about something, for once? Sheesh. What a party pooper.
"Oh, Shikamaru, C'mon." Asuma grinned awkwardly, "It's not a bad thing. Maybe it'll keep you from getting bored so easily."
"Uh huh. Riiiight." Ino butted in, "I've yet to see Shikamaru not bored with something. Even if it's the most exciting thing!"
Shikamaru glared at her, "Shopping is NOT exciting."
Ino stuck out her tongue.
Shikamaru rolled his eyes, "Mature Ino."
"Mature Ino." She mocked him.
"Now stop it you two." Asuma ordered.
"Yes sir."
"Hey! The food is here!" Chouji said excitedly.
"Chouji," Asuma started, "you ordered for us already?"
"Not everyone, just myself."
"Chouji!" All three yelled in disbelief.
"What? I was hungry."
"Chouji!"
"Fine, fine… we can share. But I'm ordering more later."
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After an hour of discussing how it came to be that Shikamaru was the only one to pass the Chuunin exam (and three orders of barbeque later for Chouji), the team was leaving the restaurant.
"So, Shikamaru, are you excited that you're a Chuunin now?" Ino asked sweetly.
"Not really. It's troublesome if you ask me."
"Everything is troublesome to you."
Shikamaru shrugged. So what if it was?
"So, I guess you're going to be the team leader now, huh?" Chouji asked, grinning at Ino.
"Hey," Ino whined, "that's not fair! I was leader fir-"
"Now, now Ino. It's only fair." Asuma said, trying to calm her, "Shikamaru out ranks the both of you, so he should be the leader."
"Besides, no one appointed you leader anyway, Ino." Shikamaru smirked, "You just designated yourself as such."
Ino stopped in front of Shikamaru and glared daggers at him, "Who asked you anyway, Shi-ka-ma-ruuuu?"
"I asked me, I-noooo." Shikamaru said copying her tone.
"Enough you two." Asuma stepped in, yet again.
"Yeah, you two fight like an old married couple." Chouji added. Shikamaru and Ino blushed and looked at each other.
"Who asked you Chouji?" They said in unison.
"Sooooorry."
Ino huffed and turned around quickly, "Well… I guess I can get used to having Shikamaru as leader. He is wearing the vest after all."
"Yeah…" Shikamaru unconsciously tugged on the vest, once again feeling uncomfortable for some reason.
"And I must say," Ino said, turning her head around so they could see her face, "it doesn't look too bad on him either." She winked slyly and turned back around.
Shikamaru's face went red. Chouji elbowed him in the side and whispered, "Shikamaru, you're the man!"
"Shuddup." Shikamaru screwed up his face and blushed a deeper shade. But, he smiled inwardly. Suddenly the vest didn't feel quite so awkward.